| PADI Project AWARE Whale Shark Awareness & Shark Trust Survey Diving That Counts! AWARE - Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility, and Education Whale sharks are the largest sharks and the largest fish in the world. Capable of reaching over 40 feet long and 30,000 lbs, these gentle giants feed primarily on krill and small planktonic animals. Large as they are, very little is known about them. Many details about their range, lifespan, migrations, and reproductive habits are still a mystery. In fact, until 1995 we weren’t even sure if their young were from eggs or liveborn. This lack of data makes it difficult to develop strategies to protect the species. There are not nearly enough marine scientists in the world for all of the research that needs to be done. However, there ARE millions of avid scuba divers, most of whom are eager to be trained to help with research projects. With this idea in mind, more and more conservation organizations are utilizing the vast pool of divers as marine researchers, recording and reporting sightings to build databases used by scientists and biologists to help manage and conserve our planet’s natural resources. You don’t have to have a dive qualification to dive with Whale Sharks but it helps! The PADI Whale Shark Awareness course introduces divers and snorkelers to the world's largest fish, while teaching the proper techniques for minimal impact recreational diving. This ensures everyone has a good time with no adverse effects on the sharks, their habitat or their behavior. What will the course teach? The course aims to teach participants about the biology, behavior and distribution of Whale Sharks as well as conservation status and Whale Shark research worldwide. Divers will learn how to plan all aspects of a dive/snorkel with Whale Sharks, paying special attention to non-impact diving/snorkeling practices. The importance of Whale Shark monitoring activities will be stressed and the Whale Shark Photo ID website introduced as an example of how to get involved in Whale Shark conservation. This Whale Shark Awareness course was developed in conjunction with the Project AWARE Foundation, The Shark Trust, and Whale Shark Project. Project AWARE is the dive industry’s leading nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. These two organizations link the diving community with scientists, resource managers and conservationists through marine life data collection and related activities. Adventure Dive & Travel is a Project Aware Foundation member, which enables us to train divers in whale shark research and survey methods. During this course, we’ll learn some fascinating facts about Whale Sharks, how to properly photograph and record information during whale shark sightings, and how to utilize the internet to download our information to the research database. All of this comes together on two open water dives where we’ll (hopefully), encounter whale sharks! (Our Galapagos Islands trips or our Holbox Island trips are great places to complete your course.) After the two open water dives you’ll enter the data you collected into the The Shark Trust database for use in studies and research by scientific organizations worldwide. You can even view your own sightings! You’ll then be qualified to add to the international database on whale sharks after every encounter. You will also receive a PADI Project AWARE Whale Shark Awareness Specialty Card. This specialty can be applied toward the PADI Master Diver program. For more information on this prestigious rating, please ask your instructor. Provided by Student
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