Every year tens of thousands of marine animals and seabirds die from eating or getting tangled up in marine debris – or litter in the ocean. Marine debris also damages habitats, makes coastal areas unattractive to visit and is expensive to remove. As much as seventy percent of the rubbish entering our ocean sinks to the seafloor; and only divers have the possibility and skills to tackle underwater marine debris.

To make long-term improvements individuals, businesses and governments need to make changes that stop rubbish from entering the ocean. For the best results, these changes must be driven by an accurate picture of the extent of the marine debris problem. By completing Dive Against Debris surveys you help build that picture from an underwater perspective. The data you collect through Dive Against Debris helps drive changes that protect marine life and marine environments.