Join the Fight: Groups Making a Difference for the Oceans
Discover trusted organizations making a real impact in ocean conservation—find how your dive community can join the fight for a healthier ocean.
PRESERVING OUR GREAT LAKES AND OCEANS
Join the Fight: Groups Making a Difference for the Oceans
As divers, we see firsthand the ocean’s challenges—and the power of taking action. Here are three trusted organizations where the dive community can help protect marine life, restore reefs, and influence policy.
PADI AWARE Foundation
PADI AWARE empowers divers to lead global conservation through citizen science, advocacy, and support for local initiatives. Signature programs like Dive Against Debris®—the world’s largest underwater cleanup survey—regularly contribute debris data that informs policymakers and drives action. Since its beginnings in 1989 as Project AWARE, the foundation has evolved into a global nonprofit, funding campaigns on marine debris, endangered species, habitat loss, and expanding marine protected areas. Over 80% of the Foundation’s revenue goes directly into programs making a real difference.
Ocean Conservancy
Working since 1972, Ocean Conservancy has championed solutions to ocean threats like overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change. Their programs range from the International Coastal Cleanup—which has removed hundreds of millions of pounds of trash—to advancing smart ocean planning and sustainable fisheries policy. Their work shapes public policy and addresses structural change across coastal and marine environments.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Sea Shepherd takes bold action against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and conservation law violations. They are known for direct-action campaigns, including removing illegal gillnets to protect the critically endangered vaquita, partnering with law enforcement, and intercepting poachers with their ships—nicknamed “Neptune’s Navy.” The group operates globally in some of the ocean’s most vulnerable regions.
Each of these organizations tackles ocean protection from a unique angle: science, policy, citizen action, or enforcement. They all welcome the scuba community’s help. Whether it’s removing debris, influencing policy, or safeguarding marine species, divers have the skills and passion to make a meaningful difference.
Happy and safe diving,
The ScubaBlast Team
PADI AWARE Foundation. Mission, programs, and impact. WikipediaPADI
Ocean Conservancy. About us and programs. Ocean Conservancy+1GuideStar
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Mission and direct action operations.