What is a Coral Reef Conservation Specialty?
Out of all of PADI’s Diver Specialty courses, the AWARE Coral Reef Conservation course is perhaps the only pure non-diving course that is open to not just certified scuba divers where participants aren’t required to conduct open water dives to complete. The entire course is educational and more classroom based, that teaches divers, snorkelers and non-divers about the vital role coral reefs play in the marine environment and how these ecosystems are currently threatened.
Why do a PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Course?
As a scuba diver, or a snorkeler the health of aquatic ecosystems is often what makes a good dive. Most people probably would take up diving or snorkeling if it weren’t for the great wealth of sea life and coral to look at beneath the surface. It is believed that divers and avid snorkelers are thereby automatically inclined to ensure the well-being and conservation of our oceans, and through the AWARE program they become aware of the fragileness of coral reefs and how they can help preserve them. The course makes scuba divers and snorkelers better informed, vigilant about the health of reefs they are diving in, as well as better divers through ensuring non destructive diving practices.
The AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course teaches divers, snorkelers and non-divers about the vital role coral reefs play in the marine environment and how these ecosystems are currently threatened. The course familiarizes participants with the current state of the world’s coral reefs and explains how individuals can help protect the living reef from further decline.
What does the course cover?
There are no training dives or skill requirements to complete this course. This course covers information about coral reef distribution, diversity, formation and ecology. It also covers factors that threaten reefs and discusses conservation techniques to protect these living resources. Additionally the course covers the following:
1. An introduction to Project AWARE.
2. The importance of coral reefs to marine ecosystems and coastal areas.
3. Coral reef and reef inhabitant biology, association and competition.
4. The status of the world’s coral reefs and detrimental land-based and ocean-based activities that put reefs in peril.
5. Suggestions and information about actions that may help to protect reefs, including responsible diving and snorkeling practices.
On completion of the course students may receive either a PADI AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation Specialty certification card or a Project AWARE Certificate of Recognition or both
Prerequisites to do the Course
To enroll in the AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course, participants need only have an interest in the aquatic world. There is no minimum age or experience requirement.
