The 1975 thriller Jaws practically scared a generation out of the water. But the divers and ocean conservationists of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors know that the fearsome movie monster is, in real life, misunderstood and maligned. Rather than a mindless maneater, sharks are a vital part of the oceanic ecosystem and they’re determined to save the animals and their habitat.
In 2021, the latest scientific assessments identified that over one-third of all sharks are facing global extinction, making them one of the most threatened groups of animals in the ocean.
Shark and ray populations are under pressure from overfishing and habitat loss, and species that divers commonly encounter may not be around for much longer.
For more than 30 years, PADI, together with PADI AWARE, have become the largest, and most successful global initiative focused on mobilizing divers to protect sharks through preservation of critical shark habitats, legislation, education and local community initiatives.
A Hot-Button Global Issue
PADI AWARE is furthering its mission to bring about positive ocean change by mobilizing its estimated 29 million certified divers worldwide as Ocean Torchbearers with the mission to save sharks.
And now, PADI is celebrating a major win today in its fight to save sharks. At the 19th meeting of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Panama City, Panama, government representatives agreed to restrict international trade for all requiem sharks, one of the biggest family of species, all hammerhead sharks, and all guitar sharks, adding an extra 60 species to the list of shark species protected by CITES on Appendix II.
This positive outcome follows PADI being asked by the host nation to provide specialist advice and research to all attending government representatives to help secure support for a critical vote to double the amount of protected shark and ray species. In the lead-up to this important vote, PADI actively mobilized its global community of 128,000 PADI Professionals, 6,600 PADI dive centers and resorts, and the over 29 million certified PADI Divers to take part by urging their own local governments to take action at CITES — and asking all Ocean Torchbearers (whether a diver or not) who are passionately committed to creating positive ocean change to sign the petition that urged governments to vote “yes.”
“Today’s decision to restrict the unsustainable global trade in some of the most threatened species on the planet provides us all with a hope and optimism that we are not too late to end the dramatic declines in the ocean’s most iconic, and critical, animals,” said Ian Campbell, associate director of policy and campaigns for the PADI AWARE Foundation, which is PADI’s global nonprofit.
“The listing of requiem sharks, an iconic group of species that includes diver favorites such as the blacktip reef shark, bull shark, and grey reef shark sends a strong signal that healthy populations of these animals are economically important far more than just the trade in their harvested fins, meat, and organs.”
Shark tourism generates hundreds of millions of dollars globally, contributing to the economies of countries around the world and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Previous studies of the tourism sector indicate shark-based tourism is on track to generate over three-quarters of a billion dollars a year over the next decade.
With the global pandemic having a significant impact on the economies of island nations such as Fiji, the Maldives and the Bahamas, the growth in shark tourism is likely to play a significant role in the financial recovery of countries with healthy shark populations around the world.
“This result, to limit the international trade in shark species that are found at the world’s most popular dive spots, will bring a huge economic boost to communities across the globe,” says Julio Salvatori, the South America regional manager for PADI and technical adviser to the Panamanian government. “The prospect of diving with sharks in their natural environment is a major attraction for the recreational dive sector, many of which made their concerns known to the decision makers. We are optimistic that this can be a turning point for shark populations worldwide.”
Recent studies have indicated that sharks — and their close relatives, rays — are one of the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Over a third of all species are classed as facing an increased risk of extinction, mainly due to overfishing, habitat loss, and unsustainable trade.
“We commend the strong leadership and commitment to conservation shown by the government of Panama, supported by many others, to secure this much-needed trade restriction,” continues Campbell. “We also realize that this decision is only the start of the recovery for many shark species, and the revenue-generating recreational diving sector is primed to play its role in implementing the commitments made today.”
Protecting sharks is a core component of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action, with the established goal of reducing the number of sharks and rays facing extinction by 25% in the next decade. To date, PADI has already helped secure protection measures for 51 species of sharks and rays, with today’s vote more than doubling that number to a total of 105 species.
PADI Asks, ‘Scared of Sharks?’
An important part of continued shark conservation is also diving with sharks, as it shifts the misconceptions and myths about them. So, if the ominous two-note Jaws theme still gives you the shivers, fear not.
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors asks, “Love sharks? Scared of sharks? Or do you just want to know more about them?
“Enroll in an AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course and discover the value of sharks to marine ecosystems and economies. You’ll learn more about the causes of declining shark populations and the actions you can take to become a knowledgeable and passionate shark defender. By being informed, you can dispel misconceptions and act to protect sharks. Sharks need you.”
‘The Shark That Attacked Me Wasn’t a Monster’
Even shark bite survivors have come out in support of protecting sharks. “I’m a diver, a surfer, and a photographer. In the water is where I feel completely at home. I know that strong visual storytelling can change people,” shark bite survivor Mike Coots said in a PADI video. “I wanted to change people’s perception of sharks and make a difference. I wanted to prove that the tiger shark that attacked me wasn’t a monster but instead, is worth protecting. I’m in a unique situation to be an advocate for sharks, and it feels right to do something.”
To learn more about how to support PADI’s continued conservation efforts to save vulnerable marine species like sharks, visit padi.com/aware.