two divers giving attention to conservation

Marine Debris Program

Join the world's largest citizen science movement to rid the ocean of marine debris.

Solving the Marine Debris Crisis

More than 250 million tons of plastic are estimated to make its way into our ocean by 2025.  The environmental damage caused by plastic debris alone is estimated at US$13 billion a year. The AWARE flagship program, Dive Against Debris, improves the health of ocean ecosystems through local action while providing valuable information about underwater debris to help inform policy change for global impact.  Divers are often the first to witness human impact on the marine environment and are uniquely positioned to help report, remove and advocate to stop marine debris at its source.

a turtle swimming in ocean

Protecting What Matters

Since the program launched in 2011, divers have aided over 35,000 entangled marine animals and reported more than 2.4 million pieces of marine debris to inform groundbreaking research that is helping to create healthier oceans.

PADI and PADI AWARE Foundation

Mobilizing the world’s largest dive community to create ocean change

Help Rid the Ocean of Marine Debris

Anybody can be part of the solution above and below the surface. Join the global community of more than 30 million divers and Ocean Torchbearers who are taking action to protect the underwater world.

PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action icon


PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action:

Rid the Ocean of Marine Debris

PADI AWARE, with the support of the dive community, are in a unique position to drive forward essential conservation measures to help rid the ocean of marine debris. We are collaborating with PADI dive centers and resorts around the world to reach the PADI and AWARE Blueprint for Ocean Action target:
 
Reduce marine debris by 50% in targeted countries through partnerships and PADI AWARE’s Grant Program.

dive against debris map

Dive Against Debris Map

Conservation Heroes

Learn more about the global community of PADI divers who have been fighting marine pollution for more than a decade.

seiko prospex logo


Our Key Sponsor

Seiko: Official Partner of PADI and PADI AWARE Foundation’s Marine Debris Program

As a proud sponsor of the marine debris program, Seiko will further the impact of the important work of the flagship citizen-science program, Dive Against Debris®, that not only removes debris but, perhaps more importantly, leverages findings to inform ocean-friendly policy change to prevent further pollution from entering the ocean. Together, Seiko, PADI, PADI AWARE Foundation and the global dive community will provide critical survey data that can be used by marine researchers and policymakers for conservation efforts.

Tools & Resources

 
Dive Against Debris Resource Guide

Click here to access the Dive Against Debris Resource Guide.

 
Dive Against Debris Toolkit
 
Dive Against Debris Walkthrough
 
Become a Dive Against Debris Diver

https://www.padi.com/courses/dive-against-debris Take the Dive Against Debris® eLearning now!