Ocean Torchbearers: Here’s What’s Next

AWARE Week, a new Shark & Ray Challenge and more...  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌      Every day, Ocean Torchbearers around the world prove that conservation isn’t something left to scientists, governments, or NGOs alone. It’s something divers do together. This month, we’re sharing new ways to take action—from AWARE Week and the Shark & Ray Discovery Challenge to new science, global recognition, and simple opportunities to help protect the ocean wherever you are.     2026 AWARE Week         AWARE Week 2026 is almost here, and we want you at the heart of it. From 12–20 September, join a global community of divers taking real action for the ocean. Organise an event, rally your local dive community, and make your week count. As an Ocean Torchbearer, your next dive could help shape the future of shark and ray conservation.   Join AWARE Week   AWARE Shark and Ray Discovery Challenge         This AWARE Week, we’re launching the Shark & Ray Discovery Challenge - a new way to celebrate the divers helping build the world’s largest diver-led shark and ray database. Log 20 different shark and ray species through the Global Shark & Ray Census to earn recognition as a Global Shark & Ray Census Pioneer and receive a limited-edition certification card available only to the first participants to complete the challenge. As an Ocean Torchbearer, every species you log helps build one of the world’s most important shark and ray datasets.   Take on the Challenge!   The World is Taking Notice         For decades, divers have explored the underwater world. Today, they’re helping protect it—and the world is taking notice. PADI has been recognized by TIME as one of the world’s most influential sustainable companies, but this recognition belongs to a much larger movement. Every dive logged, every piece of debris removed, every shark sighting recorded, and every action taken by Ocean Torchbearers like you is helping redefine what it means to be a diver. Together, we’re proving that the diving community is one of the most powerful forces for ocean conservation on the planet. As an Ocean Torchbearer, this recognition belongs to you as much as it does to us.   Read the Full Article Here   Reef World Foundation x PADI Impact Report         Every year, millions of divers and snorkellers enter the world's coral reefs — and what they do down there matters. PADI and The Reef-World Foundation share a simple belief: the dive industry can be one of the ocean's greatest allies, but only when environmental standards are taken as seriously as health and safety. That belief has driven our partnership for eight years and led to the launch of PADI Eco Center, our designation for dive operations leading the way through Green Fins, the world's only evidence-based environmental standard for diving and snorkelling. This partnership is proof that when the dive community has the right standards and tools, it becomes a real force for healthier reefs. As an Ocean Torchbearer, every environmentally responsible dive helps protect the reefs we all love to explore.   Find Out How Divers Protect the Ocean   Help Shape the Future of Marine Protection in Spain         Have you dived in the Balearic or Canary Islands during the past five years? PADI AWARE and the Med Sea Alliance are gathering diver insights to better understand how recreational diving supports local economies, contributes to conservation, and benefits from Marine Protected Areas. By sharing your experience through this short survey, you’ll help strengthen advocacy efforts for healthier oceans and more effective marine protection, and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a PADI AWARE swag bag. As an Ocean Torchbearer, your experience can help shape the future of the places you love to dive.   Complete the Survey   Two actions for the ocean in two minutes         Protecting the ocean doesn’t always require getting in the water. Sometimes it starts with adding your name. These two campaigns take less than two minutes, but together they help demonstrate public support for stronger ocean protection. As an Ocean Torchbearer, your voice can be just as powerful as your dives.   Sign High Seas Treaty Petition Now Sign Plastic Petition Now   Watch And Get Inspired         Learn more about the launch of our Global Shark and Ray Census in the video below     Keep the Momentum Going         Every story in this newsletter has one thing in common: people choosing to take action. Whether you’re logging shark sightings, joining AWARE Week, signing petitions, or helping improve ocean science, you’re already making a difference. As an Ocean Torchbearer, you can also help make this work possible year-round. Monthly supporters provide the reliable funding that powers conservation programs, citizen science, grants, policy work, and community action around the world. If you’re looking for one more way to protect the ocean, we’d be honored to welcome you as a monthly supporter of PADI AWARE.         Unsubscribe from conservation emails | Unsubscribe from all PADI emails Contact | Manage Preferences | View Online PADI Americas | 30151 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688 USA Europe, Middle East, Africa | Pavilion 1, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE, UK Asia Pacific | Level 4, 120 Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale NSW 2100, Australia This email was sent to nop1002.987654@blogger.com by PADI. Add padi@mail.padidiver.com to your email address book to ensure that you receive PADI emails to your inbox. © 2026 PADI

How To Maximize Marine Life Sightings 🤿 🦈

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ Learn the skills that lead to unforgettable underwater encounters.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    Courses   Cert Cards   Go Diving   PADI Club     Marine Life Moments Await   Find the right habitats, spot more underwater creatures and learn more about what you’re looking at along the way. Explore Courses for Better Marine Life Encounters   Love Our Toothy Friends? We’ve Got You.       AWARE Shark and Ray Conservation Specialty 6 Hours 1 Dive Learn about threats facing shark and ray populations as well as how to help. Find Out More →       Deep Diver Specialty Course 2-3 Days 4 Dives Gain the skills to dive to 40 metres/130 feet – where sharks hang out. Dive In →       No More “What Fish Was That?”       Fish ID 1-2 Days 2 Dives Master fish family and species identification while learning survey techniques. Learn More →       Underwater Naturalist   1-2 Days 2 Dives Discover the differences between the terrestrial and aquatic worlds by becoming a naturalist. Get the Details →       Increase Your Chances of Spotting Cool Critters       Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver 1-2 Days 2 Dives (Optional) Dive for longer with shorter surface intervals – for more time to spot marine life. Explore the Course →       Peak Performance Buoyancy   1-2 Days 2 Dives Glide effortlessly, use less air and minimize animal disturbance to maximize encounters. Get the Skills →       Get 20% Off Marine Life Courses With PADI Club   Enjoy exclusive benefits, including up to 20% off select eLearning courses, a Scuba Diving® magazine subscription, a free eCard and other perks. Join PADI Club       Unsubscribe from dive education emails | Unsubscribe from all PADI emails Contact | Manage Preferences | View Online PADI Americas | 30151 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688 USA Europe, Middle East, Africa | Pavilion 1, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE, UK Asia Pacific | Level 4, 120 Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale NSW 2100, Australia This email was sent to nop1002.987654@blogger.com by PADI. Add padi@mail.padidiver.com to your email address book to ensure that you receive PADI emails to your inbox. © 2026 PADI