

Divers & Conservation
Roatan Marine Park
Honduras
RMP was started by a group of concerned divers and conservationists to protect Roatan’s reefs and ecosystems. They are 'dedicated to the conservation of Roatan’s protected marine and coastal area including all of its flora, fauna, physical and biological characteristics and phenomena, and historical and cultural resources'. They achieve this by a number of practical initiatives, including conducting research into marine species such as sharks, turtles and corals while involving the public in citizen science projects, by creating marine infrastructures so as to minimize damage to reefs such as moorings management, by educating via outreach programmes to local communities and divers, amongst others. In addition, they have a lionfish eradication programme.
Roctopus Dive Ecotrust
Thailand
The Roctopus ecoTrust is a marine ecology and conservation programme that is based on the island of Koh Tao, situated in the Gulf of Thailand. This programme provides divers and ocean enthusiasts with an in-depth education on coral reef ecosystems, and offers a platform for individuals to directly engage in underwater research and reef conservation efforts. From their several monitoring, research and active conservation projects around the island, the data allows for continual assessment the health of surrounding reefs, and provides essential information on trends that may develop in the health status and biodiversity of local reefs. The Roctopus ecoTrust aims to develop scientifically proven, effective, and sustainable methods to protect and conserve the reefs of Koh Tao, allowing these vital ecosystems to thrive in the future. The information they gather is also siubmitted to a number of large global databases, thus providing information on the health status of reefs across the world, as well as the threats that these ecosystems face on a global scale.
Save the Med Foundation
Spain
Involved in the Balearic islands off mainland Spain, Save the Med arranges scientific expeditions, ocean clean-up of plastic pollution, education, amongst other activities, via a team of experienced marine scientists and divers who work closely with local authorities and stakeholders. They have created an effectively managed network of Marine Protected Areas around the Balearic Islands, allowing marine ecosystems to recover and thrive together with prospering local communities and industries.
Seaturtle.org
USA
Seaturtle.org is dedicated to providing online resources and solutions in support of sea turtle conservation and research, with the aim of organizing the world's sea turtle information and make it universally accessible and useful. Their Satellite Tracking Project provides real-time public access to the project with live maps of the turtles, tracks provided online. They have over 100,000 visits to their satellite tracking pages at http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking each month with the public interest in the migratory patterns of turtles. The website includes a database of the thousands of organisations and individuals involved in turtle research and conservation around the world
Sharklab-Malta
Malta
Sharklab Malta’s main objectives are to raise awareness about sharks, skates and rays, increase research efforts, and contribute to conservation on all levels. The research currently being done in Malta includes studies on the biology and ecology of different species, and the recovery and release of local oviparous species. They also focus on increasing awareness and educating people, via regular awareness activities, eggcase searches, snorkels and SCUBA dives.
Song Saa Foundation Cambodia
Cambodia
The Song Saa Foundation 'initiates and promotes projects that improve the wellbeing of the communities and natural environments of the Koh Rong Archipelago and beyond.' In 2006, they bought the tiny Cambodian island of Koh Ouen and later, the neighbouring island of Koh Bong, and launched the Song Saa Marine Reserve, Cambodia’s first ever government recognised private marine reserve. The foundation is ‘committed to the protection of ocean habitats and the preservation of marine life – from fish and invertebrates to coastal birds – in the Koh Rong Archipelago and all along Cambodia's coastline. Our projects include the support of community fisheries, a coral nursery and a tropical marine conservation programme. We also have programmes in place for the conservation of sea turtles, mangroves and Cambodia’s rare sea grass meadows.’ They run an Ocean Stewardship Program for divers interested in becoming involved in their conservation initiatives.
Takata Experience
Mexico
Takata Experience is a diving operator with a sea turtle conservation programme, The Takata Turtle Conservation Program, which is the result of a collaboration with local projects and people who protect sea turtles (Proyecto Aak Mahahual, and Roberto Herrera from Colegio de la Frontera Sur). The programme focuses on monitoring the local turtle population, protection of nesting sites and educating about turtles and their environments.
The Coral Tribe
Thailand
Devoted to Marine Conservation in Thailand, with the aim of improving the health of the oceans and coral reefs, The Coral Tribe area group of qualified and certified Marine Conservation Instructors who conduct marine conservation courses and internships for beginner to graduate level, for divers and non-divers. Their many projects include coral restoration, Microplastics surveys, Beach Cleanups, marine debris extraction, Diving against debris, amongst others
Trawangan Dive
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Trawangan Dive has an innovative program to restore the Gili islands’ reefs. 'Certain areas of shallow water corals around the Gili Islands have suffered damage by combinations of coral heatstroke, disease, land-based sewage, global sea level rising, over-fishing and direct physical damage... A revolutionary new technology called Biorock can make this possible. The Biorock Process involves a submerged steel structure that receives a safe low-voltage electrical current. Small pieces of live broken coral are then strapped to the structure and have been shown to grow at 3-5 times the normal rate while coral survival under higher water temperatures and pollution increased by 16 to 50 times'.(extracted from their website) They offer dive training and specialised training in this conservation work.
Tropical Reef and Conservation Centre
Sabah, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia
TRACC (Tropical Research And Conservation Centre) is a marine conservation organization based in the Celebes Sea dedicated to protecting sea turtles and restoring coral reefs destroyed by the local fish bombing practices of Malaysia. Based on Pom Pom Island in Sabah, Borneo, TRACC is working to restore local reefs that have been damaged by bomb fishing. They focus on coral reef restoration, turtles and sharks, as well as running projects that involve growing coral, rebuilding reefs and measuring biodiversity. They train divers who have the opportunity to become engaged in the conservation projects as do snorkelers. There is also an opportunity to take an A level in Marine Science.
Two Fish Divers
Indonesia
Two Fish Divers have seven dive centres in Indonesia, on Bali, Manado, South Lombok and North Lombok. In addition to dive training, they offer opportunities to become involved in environmental projects including coral watch and restoration, shark awareness, manta ray conservation.
We know all divers are conservationists at heart. This category is devoted to diving professionals who work to protect and enhance marine life and the marine environment.
Marine life protection and restoration opportunities for divers - restoration projects - diving education and training - volunteering - internships