Divers for the Environment June 2022

Page 16

NEWS

PADI AND BLANCPAIN JOIN FORCES

TO HELP PROTECT 30% OF THE OCEAN BY 2030

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors® (PADI®), the world’s largest dive training organisation, and Swiss prestige watchmaker, Blancpain are joining forces with the aim to fundamentally increase the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe over the coming decade. The organisations unveiled their collaborative partnership at the 9th Annual World Ocean Summit, the flagship event of the Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative, attended by the world’s top thought leaders from business, science, governmental and nonprofit sectors – to tackle the greatest issues facing our blue planet. “Blancpain and PADI have rich histories rooted in exploration and ocean conservation, inspiring both organisations to become powerful catalysts of planetary change,” says Drew Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of PADI Worldwide. “Protecting our oceans is not only core to our ethos, but critical for our very survival. The world must pull together to stem the urgent crisis in our ocean and we have an immense opportunity to bring about change. We’re proud to work alongside such a prominent partner who shares our optimistic outlook on the future and a deep commitment to further empowering our global community to seek adventure and save the ocean.” 16

DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT | JUNE 2022

Together, PADI and Blancpain will work with local communities across the globe to expedite the establishment of MPAs. At the heart of the multi-year, multi-milliondollar initiative is the flagship citizen science programme, Adopt the Blue™ in which 6,600 registered PADI dive centres and resorts will be activated to develop the largest network of marine protected areas on the planet, enabling millions of PADI recreational divers to proactively engage in marine conservation at every opportunity.

protected areas is critical to the health of the world’s largest and most important ecosystem and has been proven to restore biodiversity, build resilience to climate change and reestablish vulnerable species’ populations. “It will take a unified, dedicated effort to improve the state of the oceans. Together, we are directing the power of our organisations towards one of the most important – and urgent missions on the planet,” states Richardson.

Another keystone of the partnership is the formation of the Blancpain/PADI Community Grant, which funds critical conservation efforts in local communities. These grants will drive both ocean preservation as well as indigenous community support, serving as a force for good for both humanity and ocean. “With our almost 70-year legacy of the Fifty Fathoms diving watch, Blancpain has developed not only a passion – but a deep commitment to our oceans,” says Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain. “We’re extremely proud of the role we’ve played in advancing global marine protection efforts and we are thrilled to be collaborating with PADI – and its community of divers – to bring about even more positive change.” The successful implementation of marine

www.padi.com www.blancpain.com


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Articles inside

Is There a Diver Med Tech in the House?

7min
page 118

The Heart and Diving

7min
pages 116-117

Eco-Resorts & Destinations That Support Conservation

13min
pages 110-115

Back to Indonesia

14min
pages 104-109

Aqaba

8min
pages 98-103

Socotra

31min
pages 86-97

CREST CR-5

6min
pages 50-53

Folding Fins

4min
pages 46-49

Dogs and Divers

7min
pages 42-45

Parineeti Chopra Teams up with PADI

3min
page 17

A Unique Artist

4min
pages 38-41

Belgian Military Divers

12min
pages 32-37

PADI Adaptive Techniques Speciality Course

12min
pages 22-27

A Year’s Worth of Results

7min
pages 28-31

Reef Check with EDA

7min
pages 18-19

PADI and Blancpain Join Forces

3min
page 16

Frangipani Langkawi Resort

3min
page 15

The UAE’s First-Ever PADI Adaptive Diver Training

4min
page 14

EDA Co-Founder’s Note

4min
page 5

The Dive MENA Expo

3min
page 8

“Save the Butts” to Save Our Oceans

4min
page 13

EAD Discovers New Eagle Ray Species

3min
page 10

EAD Records a Remarkable Improvement in Sustainable Fishing

6min
pages 11-12

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

3min
page 9

An EDA Movie Screening

2min
pages 6-7
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