“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love.” These impassioned words by Steve Irwin, Australian wildlife expert, television personality and conservationist, point to the core of our volunteer-led shark and ray conservation work.

Project AWARE scuba divers, instructors and dive center leaders are spearheading a movement for shark and ray protection all across the globe, leading the way through science-based education and advocacy. It’s their fervid enthusiasm for shark and ray conservation that keeps this movement growing – without them, our work wouldn’t be possible.

This week, we’d like to honor one stand-out scuba instructor who is making a significant positive impact for sharks in her local community: AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty Course Instructor, Laura Carrizo.

The first time Laura went scuba diving with sharks in Roatan, Honduras, she witnessed the power of education and first-hand interaction on people’s opinions and understandings of sharks. She saw how the opportunity to learn more about sharks’ importance in ecosystems and interact with them directly in underwater environments led dive guests to develop a newfound respect and adoration for these creatures. In that moment, Laura saw a great opportunity. By helping educate the public about sharks, and by safely guiding them to interact directly with sharks in their natural environment, Laura could help foster a new wave of shark conservation and advocacy amongst the public.

Since that first experience, Laura has become a certified AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty Course instructor at Aquatica Buceo dive center in Argentina. She leads AWARE Shark Conservation Distinctive Specialty courses as well as educational seminars all around her community, to divers and non-divers, children and adults, locals and tourists. She is constantly looking for new opportunities to connect with the community and educate about sharks’ conservation status, encouraging others to take action to advocate for their protection. Most importantly, Laura aims to foster a love and appreciation for sharks amongst her dive students, as she feels that a personal connection is key to developing a motivation to speak out for shark conservation.

Most recently, Laura has been leading her local community in Project AWARE’s #Divers4SharksNRays photo campaign, encouraging colleagues, students and dive guests to join the rally to encourage member parties at the 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES CoP17) to vote YES to increase protections for selected shark and ray species. With a deep commitment to shark conservation education and a leadership in community action, Laura is spearheading the movement for shark conservation in Argentina. Thank you, Laura, for your dedication to the cause!

Want to join Laura in the fight to protect sharks? Take or teach the Shark Conservation Specialty Course and participate in #Divers4SharksNRays.