By DIVE Staff
PADI and Swiss watchmaker, Blancpain, have announced they are extending their partnership working towards protecting 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030 with the announcement of a new Vulnerable Marine Species Program.
Blancpain’s financial support will help deliver PADI’s Global Shark & Ray Census, a new citizen science initiative designed to help protect vulnerable marine species from extinction, which is scheduled to be launched on Earth Day (22 April) 2024.
PADI and Blancpain have been partners together in ocean conservation for more than 20 years, since they first announced the launch of a joint whale shark identification project. Blancpain was a founding partner of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action, and helped to develop PADI’s MPA programme and its flagship citizen science program, Adopt the Blue.
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The latest evolution of the partnership comes one year after the two organisations announced an expanded commitment to increase the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe.
‘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,’ said Dr Drew Richardson, CEO of PADI Worldwide and Chairman of PADI AWARE Foundation. ‘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.’
According to PADI’s website, the Global Shark and Ray Census will invite both divers and non-divers alike to log their shark and ray sightings. The data will be used to monitor population trends and identify priority species and locations for conservation, protect vulnerable shark and ray habitats, and contribute to the development of marine protected areas and responsible shark and ray tourism.
‘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,’ said Richardson. ‘Engaged divers across the planet who choose to participate will directly help accelerate national and global protection measures where they are needed most.’
Donations to support the Global Shark and Ray census can be made via the PADI AWARE Shark Appeal. Blancpain will match all donations to match donations 1:1, which will go towards supporting the development of the Vulnerable Species Program.
