Every day we receive messages, emails and pictures of the actions divers like you are taking to lead the fight for ocean protection in your local community. Whether you’re involved in Dive Against Debris, taking the AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Specialty or urging increased protection for sharks and rays, your actions and passion inspire us each and every day. Together we accomplished some amazing things in 2014:

» Mobilized 5,804 ocean advocates to send 28,804 letters urging support for sharks and rays;
» Removed and reported 87,668 items of trash from 58 countries;
» Influenced listing of 21 sharks and rays at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species #CMSCoP11;
» Encouraged CMS Member Nations to make a commitment and advance international cooperation to tackle the marine-debris crisis;
» Inspired 25 teams of swimmers to raise $52,495 to help fight for threatened sharks and rays.

That’s why, as we look toward 2015, we know that together we can achieve remarkable things. Together we’re an unprecedented movement — a movement fueled by our love for the ocean and our strong will to protect and fight for it. We couldn’t have achieved such success without you. Winning increased protection for our ocean takes coordi- nated action, negotiation and diplomacy. Thanks to divers like those at Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas (pictured), we’re winning the battle on many levels. There are many ways you can be involved in 2015. Organize your own Finathon; learn more about marine debris and how you can help through the Dive Against Debris campaign; and stay tuned for action alerts. Our movement for ocean protection is getting stronger — and we’re getting louder.

Want to find a conservation event close to home? Check out the Action Zone link on Project AWARE’s website, projectaware.org.

Global Force of Divers

Commit to conservation on Earth Day, April 22.

1. Sign Project AWARE’s 10 Tips Pledge. Pledge to protect the ocean every time you dive by following Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet.

2. Eat only sustainable seafood. If you do eat fish, choose species that are harvested in ways that ensure the health of the species and ocean.

3. Be a trash collector. Make every dive a Dive Against Debris. You can carry a small bag, but even your BC pocket will do.

4. Find greener cleaners. Use laundry detergents and house-hold cleaners that are safer for you, as well as better for the environment. Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn and garden.