In celebration of the ocean, AWARE Week is taking place globally from 15th – 23rd September 2018. Aimed at empowering more divers to look after the underwater world, a full week of conservation activities and actions will take place.

Project AWARE® has teamed up with its long-time partner PADI®, to call on dive professionals and the global dive community to lead or take part in AWARE Week activities including AWARE courses focused on tackling ocean pollution, creating awareness for vulnerable shark and ray species, and empowering local communities to take positive actions for the protection of fragile aquatic environments, fins on and fins off.

The Project AWARE specialties are conservation-focused courses designed to provide the tools needed to protect our ocean planet and empower ocean stewards to take action.

Dive Against Debris® Specialty

Through the Dive Against Debris® Specialty course, divers gain the knowledge and skills to activate their inner citizen-scientist and participate in Dive Against Debris® surveys under the guidance of a PADI Professional.

AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty

The AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course educates students on the value of sharks to marine ecosystems as well as local economies. The course covers the causes of the declining shark populations, the actions needed to become an informed and passionate shark defender, and dispels common misconceptions about sharks.

Project AWARE Specialty

Due to be launched in September 2018 during AWARE Week, the revised Project AWARE Specialty builds on the success and popularity of the “10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet” to guide participants towards personal commitments and actions to help the environment. The course can be adapted to the audience and the local environment, including local conservation issues and solutions. Remaining as a dry course it is ideal to engage divers and non-divers alike as well as a perfect solution to those bad weather days.

As well as equipping ocean adventurers with the skills needed for ocean conservation, AWARE Week encourages local action for the ocean. Whether it's raising money, carrying out Dive Against Debris® surveys or saying no to single-use plastic, no action is too small to enforce positive impact. Join Project AWARE and PADI together with your local community in celebration for a clean and healthy ocean. 

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Interested in participating in AWARE Week? Contact your local dive shop or find an AWARE Week activity near you.