The DAN.PADI programme brings ocean knowledge to all through a free eLearning platform

The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project has been officially recognised as an Ocean Decade Action by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, joining the prestigious Ocean Literacy With All (OLWA) programme under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

This endorsement is a significant recognition of the scientific value and social relevance of the programme. It also plays a vital role in extending the project’s reach and impact, helping to spread marine culture across all ages, languages and nationalities – a goal at the heart of DAN Europe and PADI’s shared vision to achieve balance between humanity and ocean.

The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project is an international educational initiative designed to raise awareness and empower younger generations to become stewards of the ocean. Through a dynamic e-learning experience, its mission is to make ocean knowledge accessible and engaging by combining science, sustainability and storytelling. The programme features high quality content developed by DAN Europe in collaboration with university professors and marine science researchers. Available in English and Italian, it is currently being used by DAN and PADI instructors in schools, dive centres and youth initiatives.

It consists of four core learning modules:

• Citizen Science – Encouraging students to take an active part in marine research.
• Plastic Pollution – highlighting the impact of human waste on marine ecosystems.
• Climate Change – Understanding the ocean’s role in the global climate crisis.
• Underwater Archaeology – exploring history through underwater cultural heritage.

The project is based on a successful initiative – Scuola D’Amare – launched in Italy in 2019 by a local PADI association, with the approval of MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education). 180 PADI instructors were trained to deliver the programme, which used diving as a gateway to environmental education and discovery. In just five years, Scuola D’Amare has introduced over 80,000 students in 17 regions to the wonders of the Mediterranean Sea.

From this successful start, the project evolved into the DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project – a scalable, international programme that embeds ocean literacy into diving education. The aim is not only to equip students with environmental knowledge, but also to instill a deep, personal sense of responsibility for ocean conservation.

Now, with UNESCO’s official endorsement, the programme is expanding its original scope to provide wider access to ocean education for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. With freely accessible content, the programme pushes the boundaries of traditional learning environments and aims to inspire curiosity and promote awareness of the ocean far beyond schools and into communities around the world.

This collaboration brings together DAN Europe’s expertise in dive safety and scientific outreach with PADI’s global reach, supported by a network of 128,000 dive instructors and more than 30 million certified divers in 186 countries over the last 50 years. Together, the two organisations aim to embed ocean literacy into the educational journeys of new generations and global communities, promoting sustainable ocean use, climate action and collective responsibility.

“UNESCO’s support is a powerful boost to our mission,” said Laura Marroni, Exec. Vice President of DAN Europe. “It strengthens our ability to spread marine culture on a global scale – reaching new audiences, in new places, and inspiring a deeper connection with the sea.”

“This recognition by UNESCO reinforces the critical role divers play as ambassadors for ocean protection,” said David Murray, Managing Director of PADI EMEA. “Through the DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project, we are making ocean education more inclusive, accessible, and impactful—empowering individuals of all ages to become true Ocean Torchbearers. Together, we’re creating positive ocean change in everyday life, not just for divers, but for the global community.”

Go to https://oceanliteracy.edu.daneurope.org/index to access the programme.

The platform is also accessible via the TalentLMS app, available for iOS and Android. When using the app for the first time, mobile users must enter the full domain https://oceanliteracy.edu.daneurope.org/ to log in and begin their learning journey. Whether learning on desktop or mobile, course progress is automatically synced across devices for a seamless experience.

About DAN Europe

DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network Europe) is an international non-profit medical and research organisation devoted to the health and safety of divers. Since 1983, it has provided medical assistance, scientific research, education and innovative safety initiatives to the global diving community. DAN Europe is also an advocate for environmental responsibility and the responsible practice of diving.

www.daneurope.org

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 TorchbearersTM, to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably 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^TM, creating positive ocean change. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.

www.padi.com

The Marine Conservation Society and Natural History Museum’s Big Seaweed Search Week returns from 26^th July – 3rd August 2025. The two organisations are once again calling on people across the UK to head to the coast and take part in the Big Seaweed Search – a nationwide citizen science project that’s fun, free and perfect for the whole family.

Photo: Billy Barraclough

Scientists from the Marine Conservation Society and the Natural History Museum are keen to learn more about where different types of seaweed grow across the UK, and how their distributions may be changing over time. By taking part in the Big Seaweed Search, you’ll be helping to gather vital evidence that can be used to map and document any changes to our coastal environments.

Photo: Billy Barraclough

Anna Bunney, Citizen Science Programme Developer, at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “Seaweed plays a really important role in keeping our ocean healthy. There’s still a lot we don’t know, and that’s where the Big Seaweed Search comes in. The more people join in, the better we can understand what’s happening beneath the waves and how to safeguard our seas for future generations.

Photo: Billy Barraclough

“The great thing is, anyone can take part – you don’t need to be an expert or live near the coast. Just one trip to the beach is enough to help out. It’s a brilliant, easy activity for families or friends to enjoy together, while also supporting vital research.”

Photo: Billy Barraclough

While there are over 650 seaweed species around the UK, Big Seaweed Search Week focuses on just 14 of the most commonly found. This helps the Marine Conservation Society and Natural History Museum map the distribution of particular seaweeds and gather long-term data. This, in turn, helps measure environmental changes and the potential impact on marine life.

The Big Seaweed Search monitors species like kelp, which are sensitive to rising sea temperatures, non-native species and ocean acidification. Globally, kelp forests are thought to be in decline, reducing the ocean’s ability to capture carbon and combat the climate crisis.

Photo: Kirsty Andrews

The data collected by volunteers helps scientists build a clearer picture of how our coastlines are changing and informs decisions about how best to protect them.

Dr Juliet Brodie, at Natural History Museum said, “The Big Seaweed Search is already shaping important scientific research. Data gathered has contributed to the UK Red List, helping to highlight seaweed species that are vulnerable or under threat. This information plays a vital role in guiding conservation efforts to protect these essential marine species and ensure the health of our ocean for years to come. It’s also inspired similar projects in places like South Georgia and Mexico. Working alongside passionate community scientists who share our commitment to a healthy ocean is truly empowering.”

Photo: Paul Naylor

Taking part in Big Seaweed Search Week is simple and open to everyone. There are training videos and downloadable resources available, including an identification guide to help spot the 14 species and instructions on how to take part.

Surveys can be done alone or in a group, and results can be submitted using a mobile, tablet or computer.

To get involved simply:

1. Register to take part and download your guide and recording form at Big Seaweed Search | Natural History Museum
2. Choose your 5m stretch of coastline to survey
3. Fill in your survey form
4. Take LOTS of clear, close-up photographs for your survey to be accepted
5. Submit your survey through Big Seaweed Search | Natural History Museum

You can visit the Marine Conservation Society’s website for all the information you’ll need to get started.

Header Image: Billy Barraclough