Asked to imagine paradise many divers think of clear, tropical waters teeming with marine life. Throw in some big sharks to get the adrenaline going and we are in diver heaven.
Well there is no need to dream: divers can find their dive paradise in Australia’s Coral Sea, one of the last remaining places where large marine life is still found in abundance.
So it is extraordinary that a proposed new marine park fails to protect over half of the Coral Sea and leaves 90 percent of its coral reefs open to some form of fishing.  

Are you ready to take action in 2012 to support shark conservation and marine debris free oceans?
On the occasion of the Chinese New Year , Year of the Dragon or rather Sea Dragon for us Ocean lovers, we bring you a round-up of some of the Project AWARE events, campaigns and activities you can attend, support and participate in throughout 2012!
Mark Your Calendar
What better way to start off a New Year than by getting organized and plan for a year full of conservation successes?
Join divers protecting our ocean planet worldwide!

Manta rays are so popular with divers and snorkelers that a single animal can 'earn' more than US$ 1 million over its lifetime for local eco-tourism, according to a new report issued by the Manta Ray of Hope Project.

Paris, also known as the capital of love, was the perfect location to share our passion for ocean protection! And believe me love was definitely in the air from 13 to 16 January at the International PARIS Dive Show 2012!
From a Wedding sponsored by PADI to spreading the shark love, the Paris Dive Show was a huge success!

Today, the Obama Administration released a National Ocean Policy action plan to address the most pressing challenges facing ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.

Shark's fin products will no longer be sold at over 100 FairPrice outlets by the end of March this year.
The retailer will cease selling shark's fin products at all its retail outlets, which include FairPrice supermarkets, FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra hypermarkets, Cheers and FairPrice Xpress petrol stations, and FairPrice Online.
NTUC FairPrice CEO Seah Kian Peng told TODAY that it has been looking into the area of shark's fin products for the last few months, "in our commitment to be a socially responsible retailer."

Everyday divers can be ocean heroes too. The next time you complete a PADI certification course (or replace a lost certification card) you can become an ocean hero in one simple step: make a small donation to select the Project AWARE version of your card.
What happens next? You get a cool picture card to show off your support and 100 percent of your donation supports Project AWARE ocean initiatives to protect the places you love to dive.

Debris from the tsunami that devastated Japan in March 2011 could reach the United States as early as this winter, according to predictions by NOAA scientists. However, they warn there is still a large amount of uncertainty over exactly what is still floating, where it's located, where it will go, and when it will arrive. Responders now have a challenging, if not impossible situation on their hands: How do you deal with debris that could now impact U.S. shores, but is difficult to find?