In 2018 Project AWARE took action, fins on and fins off, to create both local and global change for the ocean.

The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), working in partnership to facilitate the global celebration of the United Nations World Wildlife Day 2019 (March 3), announced today the theme of the day as-  'Life below water: for people and planet'.

Sharks and rays are facing increased risk of extinction. There is no magic “silver bullet” that will solve all the very serious threats of overfishing and habitat loss that sharks and rays face, but responsible tourism practices can certainly help.

For over two decades divers have tackled the marine debris problem. From the olden days of an annual beach and underwater cleanup event to today's action - regular and comprehensive Dive Against Debris surveys reporting the quantities and types of marine debris items found underwater - we've stepped up our game and massively scaled up how we can help protect marine life from deadly ocean trash.

The ocean has always held so much for me. Even when I was a little girl, watching the surf roll in, exploring rock pools or splashing in the waves, the ocean mesmerized me.
Even now when I stand at our local headland I feel overwhelmed by its beauty, its vastness and its incredible strength. It has helped me gain perspective in times of trouble and it’s allowed me to explore a whole new world which I’m privileged enough to help protect every time I go to work.

As Debris Month of Action comes to an end, I thought I’d take the opportunity to catch up with one of our first Dive Against Debris Distinctive Specialty Instructors who has taught the course.

Braving chilly 9°C waters, 14 divers at Dive HQ Christchurch in New Zealand took the plunge to Dive Against Debris last weekend joining thousands of divers across the world fighting back against marine debris. “We had a great morning on Sunday and got quite a good haul considering it was a first time for us,” said Colin Wadeson from Dive HQ Christchurch.