PADI and Swiss watchmaker Blancpain are teaming up to create the Vulnerable Marine Species Program.
Blancpain’s support will be key in funding the Global Shark & Ray Census, a new citizen science initiative that’s slated to launch Earth Day 2024 and is designed to help protect vulnerable marine species around the globe from extinction.
This latest project comes one year after both organizations announced an expanded commitment to partner and increase the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe.
According to Drew Richardson, CEO of PADI Worldwide and chairman of the PADI AWARE Foundation:
“Blancpain has long been committed to real engagement in Ocean Conservation issues. Working together, will be a force multiplier in achieving our shared Ocean Conservation goals. Blancpain’s expanded support of PADI’s Vulnerable Marine Species Program forges a juggernaut combining the Blancpain Ocean Commitment with the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action in advancing positive ocean change.”
With Blancpain’s support, PADI and the PADI AWARE Foundation will build and deploy the largest underwater citizen science program designed to protect sharks and rays from extinction. In addition, PADI AWARE Foundation’s Mission Hub Community Grant Program will include support for both MPA and Vulnerable Marine Species Grantees internationally and at a local level.
These grants support critical conservation initiatives in local communities all around the world.
Richardson adds:
“With a growing base of divers interested in shark conservation, the Global Shark and Ray Census enables divers to function as diving citizen scientists in order to collect high-quality data and information on vulnerable shark species. Engaged divers across the planet who choose to participate will directly help accelerate national and global protection measures where they are needed most.”
If you want to personally support the PADI AWARE Foundation and Blancpain, donations can be made to the PADI AWARE Shark Appeal.
Blancpain has agreed to match donations 1:1, which will go toward supporting the development of the Vulnerable Species Program.
