Project AWARE Foundation

Call to action - help protect threatened coral reefs. Take part during International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008, a year-long campaign to raise awareness about coral reefs and the threats facing these vibrant ecosystems.

Now is the time to get involved. For the first time in history the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened Species includes corals in its annual report of wildlife going extinct – climate change being named one of the biggest threats to marine life by IUCN scientists. Additional research indicates more than half the world’s coral reefs could die in the next 25 years. Healthy reefs are tremendously valuable to ecosystems, human health and global economies.

As an eco-operator, we will…

Provide dive experiences that enhance visitor awareness, appreciation and understanding of the local aquatic environment.

Use recycled products whenever possible.

Participate in local conservation efforts and support established parks and reserves.

Not sell items made from endangered species, threatened species, corals or tropical hardwoods.

Respect local people, culture and traditions while abiding by local laws and regulations.

Provide pre-dive briefings on responsible dive practices such as:

-Proper buoyancy control

-Securing equipment and streamlining body position

-Maintaining distance from sensitive environments

-Not touching or chasing animals

-Abiding by all fish and game regulations

Use mooring buoys or drift diving techniques whenever possible to avoid damage to underwater habitat.

Offer Project AWARE specialty courses that teach customers about ecology and conservation.

Practice buoyancy control skills in a pool or sandy area before swimming near a coral reef or any sensitive environment. Make sure your equipment is secured, you’re weighted properly and be careful not to touch, stand onor collect coral.

Display environmental public awareness materials and provide community involvement opportunities.

Use environmentally sound methods of rubbish disposal.

Ocean Facts:

~The oceans cover 70 percent of the earth’s surface and compose 97 percent of the earth’s water.

~Scientists estimate that 80 percent of all life on earth is found under the ocean’s surface.

~Life in the sea developed more than three billion years ago. Land dwellers appeared comparatively recently – 400 million years ago.

~The ocean contains the largest biological structure on earth – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

~Coral reefs support 4000 species of fish, 700 species of coral and thousands of plants and animals.


Learn – Discover how you’re connected to the ocean and how it affects your life. Learn about the diversity of the sea and how to protect it.

Change Your Ways – No matter where you live or what you do, your actions are carried downstream. Making small efforts in your home and community contributes to ocean conservation.

Donate – Join the Project AWARE Foundation. Your support helps conserve underwater environments from inland waters to the ocean floor.

WorldPoints™ - Show your affinity for diving and the underwater environment with the new PADI® WorldPoints™ Visa® Credit Card. A percentage of your purchases will help support Project AWARE’s conservation efforts including beach and underwater cleanups, coral reef surveys, grass-roots education programs and species research.

http://www.padi.com/padi/en/promo/projectaware/bankofamerica.aspx









Project AWARE Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE offices located in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Japan combine efforts to protect aquatic resources worldwide.