About Project AWARE Foundation (International)
“How odd it seems that we call our home planet Earth when it is so clearly Ocean” (Arthur C. Clark).
The Oceans cover more than 70% of the earth. Water is life. All of us, every living creature, depend upon the earth’s ocean, seas, rivers, streams and lakes, not only for water, but also for food, transportation, power, health and recreation.
These natural resources are in a state of decline. Evidence such as reef degradation, marine debris, animal entanglement and species depletion are signs that our aquatic environments are not healthy.
Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness Responsibility and Education) is committed to address these issues and raise public awareness of the fragile nature of the aquatic environment.
Project AWARE develops and disseminates educational materials and creates public awareness campaigns such as “Protect the Sharks”, “Protect the Living Reef” and “Respect Our Wrecks”. The charity promotes responsible diving practices and encourages divers and non-divers alike to get involved in efforts to preserve the underwater world such as the International Beach & Underwater Cleanup Day.
Project AWARE builds alliances and partnerships with other organisations who share the same interest and passion for the wellbeing of the aquatic environment.
Through the charity’s grant programme, Project AWARE provides direct financial assistance to worthwhile endeavours. Since 1999, Project AWARE Foundation (International) distributed over £238,00 to worthwhile aquatic projects: Marine Camps for disadvantaged children in South Africa, Basking Shark survey and Whale Shark Photo ID project in England, Artificial Reef in Kenya, Marine Classrooms in Sodwana, and Fisheries Working Group in Nigeria to name but a few.
In order to spread the Project AWARE Philosophy, Project AWARE Foundation (International) translates its educational brochures. Protect the Living Reef is available in Arabic and Russian, and Respect Our Wrecks is available in Turkish and Greek.
In April, as part of Dive In To Earth Day, Project AWARE Foundation (International) promotes a week of diving and environmental activities such as beach and underwater cleanups, reef surveys, and coral reef conservation seminars. Each year on the third weekend of September, Project AWARE Foundation (International) sponsors the International Cleanup Day and encourages divers and non-divers to take part.
Cleanup activities raise awareness of the needless and irresponsible dumping of debris that is still prevalent in many areas. Project AWARE also encourages schools and local communities to care for their fragile aquatic sites.
Project AWARE Foundation (International) monitors underwater maritime heritage issues particularly in the UK and is involved with the Respect Our Wrecks international campaign. The charity educates divers about preserving underwater cultural heritage and ensures that all divers are aware of the legal and moral responsibilities of wreck diving.
Project AWARE Foundation (International) informs and educates the general public about the benefits of protecting nature and conserving biodiversity through sustainable forms of tourism. Project AWARE new environmental campaign “Go Eco” encourages responsible travel choices, preservation of natural environments, local economies and native culture.
It is easy to recognise the multitude of problems facing the world’s aquatic environments but it is just as easy to realise the opportunities we have to get involved and contribute to a better aquatic environment.
Our history
When it comes to the health of the aquatic environment, no community has such a personal view or cares more passionately, than divers.
Because of this special potential as advocates and protectors of the aquatic environment, PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) introduced Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness Responsibility, and Education).
Project AWARE is PADI’s commitment to emphasising the diver’s role in preserving the aquatic realm. PADI was the first organisation in the dive industry to introduce an environmental awareness programme primarily focused on individuals who use the world’s aquatic area.
The Project AWARE Foundation, a non-profit, public benefit corporation was created in 1992 to encourage and support aquatic ecology and education and is based in California. International regional charities were established to reinforce and expand Project AWARE’s activities and advocacy efforts. Project AWARE Foundation (International) was established to focus on regional needs throughout PADI International Limited’s service territory: UK, Eire, Middle East, Africa, Mediterranean, Russia and Eastern Europe.
It received formal charity status in 1999 and is based in Bristol, England.
All of PADI’s learning materials encompass the Project AWARE philosophy and divers at all levels are taught about their responsibilities to protect the aquatic world. Additionally, PADI and Project AWARE have developed a number of environmental speciality courses such as AWARE Fish Identification, Underwater Naturalist and the Coral Reef Conservation speciality to name but a few.