It’s no secret we should love, protect and admire the ocean, making World Ocean Day every day.
For some of us, the ocean is our office, for others it’s their happy place, for a lot of us it’s both. To many, the ocean stands for peace, freedom, life and happiness. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve shared many special moments with the ocean, and remember that moment when you fell in love with its beauty. Unfortunately, it’s also no secret that the health of the ocean is in trouble, and if no action is taken, this will spell certain disaster for the ocean and life as we know it.
So, to implement the Blueprint for Action, the PADI AWARE Foundation has devised a new campaign to encourage local action, to bring about a positive move forwards for ocean conservation. The goal of the Adopt The Blue campaign is to bring about effective change worldwide, in favour of our ocean, before it’s too late.
What is Adopt The Blue?
The goal of Adopt The Blue is to create the world’s largest network of protected underwater dive sites. With a global network of 6600 dive centres and resorts as well as more than 128,000 professional members worldwide, PADI AWARE has the chance to really make a difference. The aim is to reach 10,000 adopted dive sites by 2025. Dive Professionals and Dive Centres can adopt local dive sites, and conduct regular conservation activities on these sites, to help make a difference.
Why it Makes a Difference
Each part of the blue that becomes adopted gets a little bit more attention than it normally would. Any information or data collected can help inform policy at local, national and international levels through citizen science programs such as Dive Against Debris. These programs combined with the regular monitoring of vulnerable shark and ray species for example, can provide valid data to be used in support of the protection of marine areas and/or nature reserves for example. One of the main goals of the Blueprint for Action is to multiply the number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), protecting 30% by 2030. This reflects the Convention on Biodiversity COP15 Summit in 2021, to call on governments worldwide to protect at least 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030. You can also help support this by signing the 30×30 Petition.
How Can We Participate in Adopt The Blue?
At the moment, the campaign is open to PADI Professionals and Dive Centres, with more options being rolled out throughout the year, for recreational divers to get more involved. Check out the Global Action Map, to see the growth of the campaign both in your local area, and worldwide. As a Dive Centre, we have adopted Confetti Bay at Coin De Mire Island. While Coin De Mire Island itself is protected as a nature reserve, the ocean surrounding it isn’t currently a marine protected area. It’s a favourite spot for catamaran trips, which can lead to an increase in boat traffic, as well as irresponsible littering and anchor dropping. The good news is that new moorings were installed almost a year ago, which have helped to prevent makeshift moorings and anchor complications. By conducting regular survey dives here, our hope is to help monitor the condition and health of the coral, as well as being able to report the presence and type of marine debris.
Calling All PADI Members!
So if you haven’t already, pick up your phone, download the PADI AWARE App, and have a think about which local dive sites could really benefit from being adopted by you as a PADI Pro or Dive Centre. Set up or open up your My Ocean Profile to access the ‘Adopt the Blue’ Button, and follow the prompts from there. Together we can help bring about change!
