Crystal Divers, Joe’s Gone Diving and Blue Season Bali joined forces over several months with the united goal of raising funds and awareness for shark conservation. Giving Project AWARE’s Finathon® concept a unique twist the trio of dive centres hosted the Funathon and truly put a lot of fun into fundraising!

Events included water volleyball tournament spanning two months, a FINtastic flea market and a Funathon party style family BBQ with games, raffles and an auction.

Thanks to everyone’s hard work and dedication they smashed their fundraising goal raising an incredible $14,000. Events like the Bali Funathon aim to inspire the entire community of Sanur to think twice and also get involved in marine conservation.

“We're delighted to unite the Sanur Bali dive community for the first Project AWARE Volleyball event. After the successful Crystal Bali Divers Funathon in 2013 we were looking forward to doing it all again and raising funds to support sharks and rays. Collaborating with likeminded dive professionals is a great way to build the movement to protect our ocean planet,” Minni Vangsgaard, Crystal Divers Bali.

The Bali flea market was a hit with old clothes, books, DVDs and jewelry all reused to stop over consumption.  With the so much pressure facing the resources of our natural planet it's important to think about our clothes, where they come from, what they are made of, who makes them and the consequences of production. The volleyball tournament saw teams battle it out in the pool for three months.

Sharks and rays are spotted in the waters around Bali but divers worldwide are working together to ensure protection for these species across the globe. Although several countries have protections for sharks and rays in place, many species travel great distances, often crossing national boundaries. Their migratory routes are determined by nature, not by the borders we’ve drawn. International cooperation is vital to ensuring the survival of these exceptionally vulnerable migratory species. Together with Project AWARE divers have a powerful, collective voice to secure protection for endangered shark and rays. Everyone can support Project AWARE’s next campaign online by adding your voice.

Project AWARE relies on support from divers to fund critical conservation, all funds raised will help:

• Fight to stop finning
• Insist on full protections for Critically Endangered sharks
• Negotiate stronger policies to ensure a brighter future for all sharks and rays

A big thanks to all the dive centres and supporters in Bali and special recognition to Bali Funathon three top sponsors - Moana Cruises, Seagods Wetsuits and Divemasters Bali.