PADI Launches New Shark & Ray Conservation Course and Global Census

(MENAFN- storytellers101) Mumbai, Indi— —23 April 2026— PADI announces the launch of their Global Shark & Ray Census¦nbsp;and the PADI Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty Course, two initiatives designed to mobilise the global dive community in monitoring and protecting vulnerable shark and ray species. With nearly one-third of all shark and ray species facing increased risk of extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss, and unsustainable trade, these initiatives provide divers with clear, actionable ways to drive conservation impact.
These new tools come from the long-term donor support of Swiss prestige atchmaker Blancpain, with the two like-minded brands continuing their longstanding part ership and reflecting the shared commitment to advancing ocean protection through science, education, and citizen action.
“We’re extremely prou’ of the role we’ve played in advancing global marine protection efforts, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with PADI and its global community of divers to drive further impact,” said Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain.
The broader expansion of PA’I’s citizen science portfolio comes as part of the w’rld’s largest diving organi’ation’s 60th anniversary and demonstrates how scuba divers continue to take a lead in shaping the future of the ocean.
“PADI is using this initiative to unite divers, dive centres, and ocean advocates globally to protect these species where it matters most, as they are critical to maintaining a healthy ocean ”cosystem,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide.
Transforming Education Into Action
At the heart of the launc is the new PADI Shark & Ray Conservation Specialty Course, designed to build understanding, shift perceptions, and equip divers with the skills to take meaningful action. The course will explore the:
● value and conservation status of sharks and rays
● threats facing global populations
● effective conservation measures + responsible tourism practices
● safe and respectful interactions in the water
Divers will also learn how to contribute as citizen scientists, where they will collect and report data that informs conservation policy and habitat protection.
This new course is available for scuba divers, freedivers, and mermaids, combining digital knowledge development with a required training dive focused on accurate data recording. A non-diver education pathway is also available to enable broader participation in shoreline and boat-based census logging.
“Sharks and rays need more awareness and more action at scal”,” adds Valette Wir“h. “By combining classic PADI education with real-world participati’n, we’re giving the global community clear, meaningful ways to protect the species they care about most. This is what it looks like when adventure, purpose, and impact come t”gether.”
Introducing the Global Shark & Ray Census
The Global Shark & Ray Census is among the most ambitious citizen science initiatives ever undertaken in recreational diving and is the result of a three-way partnership etween PADI, James Cook Un ver ity and Blancpain.
Building on the success of the citizen-science diver-led ramework, the Global Shark & Ray Census sets out with the go l of ultimately creating more protection for vulnerable sharks and ray species.
Divers worldwide will now be able to log shark and ray sightings across Important Shark & Ray reas (ISRAs) and Adopt the Blue™ sites, generating standardised data to:
● identify priority species and habitats
● reveal population trends over time
● support conservation policy and MPA creation
● advance responsible shark and ray tourism
“Scuba divers are in the water every day, capturing information in ”eal time,” says Val“tte Wirth. “The Global Shark & Ray Census will help us understand where these animals are, and where they are not, so protection efforts can be targeted where it is needed most.”
Divers can submit data to t e PADI Conservation Action Portal, available through the PADI AWARE App, where they will capture location, conditions, species identification, and observed behaviour. Approved data will be made visible to he global impact map with the details of the survey remaining private to avoid publicising potential shark and ray hotspots for unsustainable or illegal interests.
Expanding the ’orld’s Largest Underwater Citizen Science Database
The Global Shark & Ray Census builds on more than a decade of succe s from Dive Agains® Debris®, PADI’s flagship citizen science program that has generated over 2.6 million data points documenting marine pollution. That global dataset has helped inform national policies, support marine debris legislation, and strengthen ocean advocacy.
PADI’s citizen science portfolio now includes:
● Dive Against ®ebris® (marine debris monitoring)
● AWARE Biodiversity Survey (ecosystem observation)
● Global Shark & Ray Census (species-specific tracking)
The AWARE Biodiversity Su vey is another new addition that further allows divers to document ocean health and contribute to real-time conservation data worldwide that help scientists detect ecosystem changes and identify priority areas.
“Citizen science becomes transformational when ’t’s part of the everyday diving experie”ce,” adds Valette W“rth. “Div’rs aren’t just witnessing ch’nge, they’re documenting it and helping driv” solutions.”
Continuing the 60 Year Legacy of Saving the Ocean
Shark and ray conservation has been c’ntral to PADI’s mission since the launch of its gl bal foundation, PADI AWARE, in 1992. Since then, they have helped secure prote tion measures for more than 104 shark nd ray species through active engagement at CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).
“As PADI marks its 60th anniversary, we are more motivated than ever to unite people around the world in seeking adventure and savi”g the ocean together,“ says Valette Wirth. “When people feel connected to the ocean, they are inspired to protect it. Every piece of data a diver shares adds to a growing body of knowledge that helps scientists, policymakers, and local communities make bett’r decisio”s for the ocean’s future.”
For more information about the PADI Shark & Ray Conservation Course, the AWARE Biodiversity Survey, and the Global Shark & Ray Census, visit padi.com/aware/sharks.
About PADI: PADI® (Professional ®ssociation of Diving Instructors®) is the largest diving organisation with a global network of 6,600 dive centres and resorts, 128,000 professional members, and more than 30 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore, and take meaningful action to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 60 years, PADI has undeniably been the Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest-quality dive training, underwater safety, and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARE, creating positive ocean change.
About PADI AWARE Foundati n: PADI AWARE Founda™ion™ is a non-profit public charity that drives global ocean conservation through local action. PADI AWARE Foundation engages divers and people everywhere to take conservation actions that heal and protect the ocean planet both above and below the surface, further elevating and supportin’ PADI’s vision to achieve balance between humanity and ocean. Backed by the power of ®he PADI® brand and supported by ’he world’s largest global network of 6,600 dive centres and resorts and more than 128,000 professional members worldwide, PADI AWARE Foundation leverages the collective influence of divers and the dive industry to address key threats facing the marine environment including climate change, marine habitat loss and vulnerable species protection. PADI AWARE Foundation advances its mission and the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action through underwater citizen science, public policy, education and commun ty grants.

About Blancpain: Since the creation of the Fifty Fathoms, the first true diver's watch, in 1953, Blancpain has been a strong advocate for the oceanic community. The Blancpain Ocean Commitment (BOC) encompasses the Brand's global initiatives to support ocean exploration and protection, an unwavering commitment that has endured for over two decades. To date, the Brand has supported more than 40 major scientific expeditions all around the globe. Acknowledging that we only protect what we love, but can only love what we know, scientific results together with stunning images are widely shared through publications and exhibitions, to raise the wider public's awareness and support for conservation efforts. The Brand actively advocates for ocean protection through the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). So far, more than 4.7 million square kilometres have been protected with Blancpain's support.

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