With this week’s World Oceans Day celebrations now in full swing, divers around the world are uniting to raise awareness of marine issues and fundraise for ocean protection – fins on and off!

First launched in 2012, Finathon® began as a swimming challenge to raise funds and awareness to protect sharks and rays. Over the years, Finathon has grown and evolved… Today, our passionate and creative supporters lead a variety of fun and exciting challenges to raise funds for ocean protection – Project AWARE activists have cycled across Europe, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, shaved their head and donated their birthday – all in the name of marine conservation! Now more than ever, ocean protection depends on all of our actions, large and small. Divers are leading the fight to protect our seas.

Recently, Project AWARE volunteers at Pez Maya, a conservation base run by Global Vision International (GVI), took part in Finathon. Pez Maya, one of many GVI hubs around the world, focuses on marine conservation and barrier reef protection in Mexico. Volunteers on base not only learn science and ocean conservation principles from trained staff, they are also taught to scuba dive and adhere to Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet. As avid supporters of Project AWARE’s ocean protection programs, the team at Pez Maya wanted to further their involvement by hosting a Finathon fundraiser.

Pez Maya’s Finathon activities ranged from an underwater Dive Against Debris survey to an on-land treasure hunt, shark sand-castle building contest, relay races, games and more! Dive Against Debris participants recovered loads of trash from the sea floor, including 70 meters of rope with fishing hooks still attached. On land, Finathon participants not only had a blast participating in fun beach activities, they also raised over $300 US to support ocean protection.

Pez Maya leader, Kerry Passingham, shares, “Our volunteers loved the events and learned a lot! They’ve now been educated on the importance of sharks and rays in our eco system, learned about the damage marine debris causes in underwater environments, and feel empowered to lead their own events in the future.”

Project AWARE thanks the team at Pez Maya for their awesome on-the-ground efforts and thanks Global Vision International for its continued partnership and support.

Want to fundraise for ocean protection like Pez Maya? Learn how you can get involved in Finathon today.