PADI®’s 2021 limited edition certification card captures a moment in time at world-famous Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. Tiger Beach is one of the premier locations off the West End of the Bahamas for big shark encounters where great hammerhead, tiger, bull, reef, and nurse sharks can be seen throughout the year.

But as we know, the ocean and all marine life that call it home, are facing tremendous threat. Urgent action is needed to tackle the oceans most prominent dangers including pollution and overfishing. Support Project AWARE®’s work with this limited edition certification card. 100% of your donation supports ocean protection.

This breath-taking image was captured by talented photographer Shane Keena, based in California. He recounts,

This image is emblematic of the diving at this incredible hot spot for sharks, in azure, clear blue waters. During my liveaboard trip, this particularly famous great hammerhead shark known as both "Patches" and Pocahontas throughout the shark community for her unique battle strip markings on the underside of her cephalofoil, made her appearance with dozens of up-close passes. For this shot, I was fortunate that she was patrolling the sandy bottom as a Caribbean Reef Shark passed serendipitously overhead making for this composition.

As a shark advocate and lover, I understand images like this can seem intimidating to those with a fear or misunderstanding of big sharks, but I cannot stress enough that these creatures are graceful and powerful...curious yet cautious.

Yes, they are apex predators at the top of the chain, but we immerse ourselves into their world and we owe them our respect. Contrary to what the media and popular culture portrays these critical keystone species as, they are not mindless killing machines nor man eaters. These are magnificent and powerful creatures that need our voices to be advocates for their protection.

This shark-tastic card is available as a new or replacement card throughout 2021 when it launches this January. Celebrate the majesty of our ocean’s sharks and support Project AWARE’s continued efforts to protect Mako Sharks in the Atlantic and clean up our ocean via the world’s largest marine citizen science program, Dive Against Debris®.

Photo ©  Shane Keena, www.shanekeenaphotography.com