This week’s news, shared by Project AWARE® from the World Wildlife Conference – CITES CoP18, is an important reminder of what can be accomplished when we come together as a community of divers to be a force for good. It is a reminder that there is hope for the future of our blue planet if we, as individuals, organizations, and partners, continue to lend our voice to speak up for issues that we care about.

Member countries to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) adopted a proposal to protect 18 threatened species of sharks and rays, including mako sharks. These species will now be granted new global trade controls when the CITES Appendix II listing comes into effect later this year.

As with most things of importance, this victory did not come without challenges. In fact, there was fierce opposition. But, more significantly, there were also thousands of passionate people around the world who fought for these protections. Organizations like Project AWARE® worked tirelessly for years campaigning to protect these threatened species and mako sharks in particular. The global community of divers joined in this effort; more than 23,000 supporters, and counting, signed Project AWARE’s #Divers4Makos petition urging top fishing nations to end uncontrolled mako shark fishing. In the run-up to CITES CoP18, divers added their voice by signing the petition to also show support for the CITES CoP18 mako sharks proposal tabled by Mexico, one of the most popular dive destinations in the world. Together, our voices were heard loudly and clearly, and this demonstration of public support played an influential role in the ratification of the proposal to grant mako sharks new global trade controls.

Of course, there is still more to be done. Project AWARE’s fight to halt declines in threatened shark populations worldwide continues. We will continue to work with Project AWARE, our partners and the network of PADI Divers around the world to be the voice of our ocean planet. Together, we have the power to create a wave of change that can and will affect the world for generations. Thank you for joining us in voicing support for the CITES shark proposals; thank you for being the hope for the future.

With deepest gratitude,

Drew Richardson

President and CEO of PADI Worldwide and Project AWARE Chairman of the Board

Photo courtesy of Joe Romeiro - PADI Gear Shark Collection Limited Edition in support of Project AWARE