Since the launch of Dive Against Debris™ in 2011, more than 25,000 divers have participated in surveys that have removed more than 600,000 pieces of trash from underwater environments. Their efforts and progress have been astounding. This incredible, worldwide grassroots effort has saved the lives of countless ocean species and made our oceans cleaner and safer for marine plants, animals and divers alike. Though we’ve made significant progress over the last few years, the unfortunate reality is that there is still much more trash in the ocean, largely unreported.

We all have our reasons for giving back to the ocean. For many, the decision to get involved in conservation is rooted in a love for the underwater world, an affinity for the outdoors, a passion for the incredible plants and animals that inhabit this earth. Gary Green’s reason for getting involved in ocean conservation was simple.
He explains, "The sea saved my life. It gave me hope."

Ten years ago, Matt Fieschi was working in the Maldives as a tourism entertainer – playing volleyball, organizing tournaments on the beach, leading snorkelling tours and hosting comic shows. He didn’t think his idyllic island life could get any better… That is, until he learned to scuba dive! After earning his beginner’s open water certification, Matt quickly advanced through training and eventually became a dive instructor.

Like many young girls, Sabrina Marelli looks up to her mother. Throughout childhood, she observed and admired her mother working in a scuba diving shop in Delaware, US, advancing up the ranks to become a skilled diver, master scuba instructor, and eventually dive center manager. At just ten years old, Sabrina followed in her mom’s steps and earned her open water scuba certification.