Awe-inspiring encounters come with responsibility.
As PADI Pros, you might have witnessed the gasp of awe when a diver sees a manta ray or whale shark for the first time. These moments create lifelong memories, forge emotional connections with the ocean and inspire divers to protect what they love.
But here’s the urgent truth: despite more than a decade of protection under CITES Appendix II, manta ray, whale shark and oceanic whitetip shark populations continue to decline.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, sharks and rays are among the most endangered marine animals on Earth, with around one-third of the species threatened with extinction. Overfishing, bycatch, habitat loss and climate change all play a role, and their slow growth, late maturity and low reproductive rates mean recovery is a long process. Without stronger action, we risk losing them within our lifetime.
What Is CITES and Why Does It Matter?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that regulates trade in endangered species. Governments meet every three years at the Conference of Parties (CoP) to decide on protections that directly affect vulnerable wildlife.
In November 2025, at CITES CoP20 in Uzbekistan, governments will vote on proposals to move manta rays, whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks from Appendix II (species not immediately threatened with extinction) to Appendix I (species threatened with extinction).
Appendix I protections would prohibit all international commercial trade, offering these species the strongest safeguard possible.
PADI AWARE: The Only Dive Industry Voice at CITES
The PADI AWARE Foundation has been a consistent and successful advocate for sharks and rays for more than 30 years, securing protections for over 104 species at local, regional and international levels. Since 2013, AWARE has played an active role at CITES, ensuring that the dive community’s perspective — ecological, economic and cultural — is represented at the policy table.
At CITES 2025, PADI AWARE will once again be the only NGO representing the dive industry. But to be effective, we need the full strength of the global dive community behind us.
The Global Petition: 20,000 Voices for the Ocean
From 1–21 November, 2025, PADI AWARE will launch a global petition calling on governments to vote “yes” on all shark and ray proposals. Our goal is 20,000 signatures from divers, instructors, dive operators, partners, influencers and conservation allies worldwide.
Every signature represents the unified voice of the dive community and strengthens PADI AWARE’s position on the policy floor. Together, we can ensure manta rays, whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks get the highest level of protection under CITES.
How PADI Pros Can Lead the Charge
As a trusted Ocean Torchbearer and role model, you have the power to activate divers and amplify this campaign. Here’s how you can help:
- Sign the CITES Business Letter through the Conservation Action Portal.
- Sign and share the petition here with your divers and community.
- Educate your divers on why manta rays, whale sharks and sharks are in crisis — and how CITES decisions can change their future.
- Fundraise or donate to PADI AWARE to support science-based advocacy.
- Share the message with your community and use our assets for your channels.
Beyond Policy: The Global Shark & Ray Census
Policy is only part of the solution. To ensure protections work, we need reliable data — and divers are uniquely positioned to help.
With Blancpain’s continued partnership and support, PADI and the PADI AWARE Foundation are launching the world’s largest diver-led data collection program for sharks and rays in 2026. Through the new Conservation Action Portal, PADI Pros and recreational divers alike can log shark and ray sightings, monitor Adopt the Blue™ sites, particularly those located in Important Shark & Ray Areas (ISRAs) as identified by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, and contribute to real-time data that supports science and advocacy.
Just as Dive Against Debris® became the largest underwater citizen science program for marine debris, the Census will fill long-standing data gaps and help track population trends, measure conservation impact and guide marine protected area design.
The Time To Act Is Now
The decisions made at CITES CoP20 could determine the fate of manta rays, whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks for generations. As PADI Pros, you are more than instructors and guides — you are leaders who can turn awe into action.
Sign the petition. Share it with your divers. Talk about CITES in your courses and on your boats. Encourage donations that fuel advocacy and science.
Together, as the world’s largest dive community, we can make history for the ocean and ensure these ocean giants continue to inspire awe for years to come.
