PADI - Adopt the Blue™
A Founding Partnership for Marine Protection
In 2022, Blancpain became the Founding Partner of the PADI Blueprint for Ocean Action and the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Program. In collaboration with PADI AWARE Foundation™, this partnership is accelerating global marine conservation by supporting the expansion and protection of marine ecosystems through the creation of MPAs. At the core is the flagship citizen science program, Adopt the Blue™, which aims to build a global network of underwater sites identified for conservation and engage the recreational diving community in protecting them. Through Adopt the Blue, millions of PADI divers are empowered to take action with PADI Dive Centers and Resorts around the world. Divers contribute by collecting vital data, supporting local conservation, and helping safeguard critical habitats and species for future generations.
Adopt the Blue by the Numbers
Blancpain’s support has enabled Adopt the Blue to scale rapidly and drive measurable impact in the field. As of 2025, the program has:
2,867 Adopted Sites across 105 countries
Coverage of more than 77.8 million km² of ocean
195 adopted sites identified as potential future MPAs
635 sites flagged for overfishing concerns
Supported 20 grantees across 13 countries, covering 86 key sites and addressing 7 major conservation issues
Collaborated with NOAA during the fourth global coral bleaching event to conduct 113 surveys at 33 sites in 9 countries
This global reach ensures that ocean conservation efforts scale across both local dive communities and international marine policy frameworks.
Empowering Local Communities
A cornerstone of the partnership is the formation of the Blancpain & PADI Community Grant, which provides essential funding to drive grassroots conservation efforts. These grants support local dive operators and communities, enabling them to lead initiatives that preserve marine biodiversity and foster environmental stewardship. The program also contributes to indigenous community support, reinforcing PADI AWARE’s mission to drive local action for global impact.
Expanding Impact :
Vulnerable Marine Species Program
In 2025, the partnership will launch the Global Shark & Ray Census across Adopt the Blue sites, focusing on Important Shark & Ray Areas (ISRAs) as identified by the IUCN. This initiative, powered by the AWARE Conservation Action Portal and supported by Blancpain, will become the world’s largest underwater citizen science program dedicated to protecting these vulnerable species and will provide an ongoing and scientifically valuable method to monitor the health of some of the most threatened marine species on the planet.
The Census will collect critical data on shark and ray populations , engage divers and communities in conservation science , and support the creation & expansion of shark-focused MPAs . More than just a research initiative, the Census represents a global call to action-uniting divers, scientists, and conservationists to protect vulnerable species and help ensure the health of our oceans for generation to come.
Network of MPAs
6 600 PADI-registered resorts and dive centers will be activated to develop the largest network of marine protected areas on the planet, allowing millions of PADI recreational divers to participate actively in marine conservation on each occasion, with the aim of having 10.000 registered locations in the first phase by 2025.
“ 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.“
Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain
About PADI
PADI ® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the largest purpose-driven diving organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members and more than 30 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action, as Ocean Torchbearers, to protect the world beneath the surface. For nearly 60 years, PADI has undeniably been the Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARE, creating positive ocean change. These grants will drive both ocean preservation as well as indigenous community support, serving as a force for good for both humanity and ocean.
Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.SM
“ It will take a unified, dedicated effort to improve the state of the oceans. Together, we are directing the power of our organizations towards one of the most important – and urgent missions on the planet.“
Dr. Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI