Marine Life & Conservation
Madagascar Whale Shark Project unveils new project to empower conservationists to protect the ocean
The Madagascar Whale Shark Project is announcing a new way for ocean-lovers to support its efforts to protect endangered whale sharks. The project has launched a donation-based Patreon page to enable followers to support its vital work through a monthly subscription while benefitting from brilliant insights and exclusive content at the same time!
Stella Diamant, Founder of the Madagascar Whale Shark Project, took the initiative to set up the Patreon to share the knowledge she’s gathered from setting up her project so other scientists and conservationists can benefit. On the Patreon page, Stella and her team will open the doors of the project to share exclusive content and behind-the-scenes snippets for everyone that loves the ocean as well as advice for those progressing in their conservation careers. She’ll interview inspirational figures from her network of marine scientists and experts to find out about their epic ocean stories, expertise and fieldwork. Supporters will also have early access to trips, volunteering opportunities and even the chance to name a whale shark before anybody else!
Stella said: “When I set up the Madagascar Whale Shark Project, I learned how to set up a conservation not-for-profit simply by doing it. I felt there was a stark lack of information about the realities of working in the conservation sector and running a successful organisation. Lots of charities are happy to talk about their successes. But when it comes to the challenges, delays and frustrations, it’s often hard to find the truth about what it’s really like.”
She continued: “I don’t think it’s helpful – for individuals or the sector as a whole – if we’re only sharing what went well. That’s why I invest my time to empower other conservationists, particularly women and younger generations, to set up their own projects and share actionable advice. I also want to help people realise that you don’t have to be a marine biologist to make a difference. Marine conservation NGOs need lots of other skills: from marketing and photography to finance and project management.
I’ve set up this Patreon to give people the knowledge that will help them thrive in their conservation careers – whether or not they come from a science background. This kind of practical information is lacking on so many topics relevant to the conservation industry which means there’s a large knowledge gap in NGOs around the world. And, of course, we’re so grateful to everyone who joins for their support to keep our project thriving too.”
Supporters can choose how deep to dive by selecting one of four levels:
- Shallow (€3 per month): becoming part of a passionate community dedicated to protecting the ocean by making a regular monthly donation
- Mid-water (€8 per month): for exclusive project updates, behind-the-scenes insights and a sneak peek into Stella’s monthly interviews with conservation experts
- Deep (€15 per month): with monthly hour-long chats with the world’s leading conservation experts to benefit from their life-changing advice
- Abyss (€150 per month): early access to trips and volunteering opportunities, one-to-one time with Stella and the chance to name a whale shark
When Stella saw her first ever whale shark in Nosy Be, Madagascar in 2014, no work had been undertaken to establish population size, trends or how they connect with other regional groups. So, Stella set up a project with tourism operators in the region to find out this important information. Since then, the project has identified over 400 individual whale sharks, published several peer-reviewed studies, implemented a code of conduct and initiated a local education programme. Now, she’ll be sharing her extensive expertise with other conservation professionals and ocean-lovers through the Patreon page.
For more information sign up here.
Banner Image: Stella Diamant
GROUNDTRUTH, a story-led material innovation company that is fast forging a reputation for its next generation travel gear, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the world’s largest diving association – PADI – on a range of pioneering submersible bags.
Entitled UNDA, Latin for wave, the collaborative range sets a new standard in sustainable design, with the GROUNDTRUTH team transforming the standard drybag into a future-focused travel companion, representing the two partners’ shared philosophy of ocean and environmental protection.
The 100% recycled bag range’s proprietary material is made from plastic waste including ghost fishing nets, post-consumer Nylon and plastic bottles. It is used alongside GROUNDTRUTH’S own patent-pending GT-OCO-CO2® hardware range, made from recycled plastic and captured CO2 emissions.
With a presence via 6,600 dive centres and resorts in 184 countries and territories throughout the world, PADI has amassed a hugely engaged community of 30 million+ divers to date. This collection creates a platform to highlight the shocking / mind blowing impact of plastics affecting our blue planet while actively contributing to its removal – empowering people from around the globe to take meaningful action to protect what they love.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with PADI on this project which will be launched via PADI’s global diving network and via our own channels,” said Georgia Scott, Co-founder and CEO of GROUNDTRUTH. “Ghost fishing nets account for over 50% of all plastic waste in our oceans, causing irreversible damage to global marine ecosystems. By combining our expertise in innovative design with PADI’s dedication to Ocean conservation, we aim to make a significant positive impact through the repurposing of these harmful plastics. GROUNDTRUTH was created with the value that all consumer products should contribute to a safer planet.”
“We are proud to collaborate with GROUNDTRUTH, as this partnership exemplifies our shared mission to mobilize the global community of Torchbearers who actively explore and protect our ocean,” said Lisa Nicklin, Vice President of Growth and Marketing for PADI Worldwide “Together, we’ve revolutionized the way that divers can carry around their essentials while elevating their commitment to protecting the place they love. It’s truly a product line designed by divers, for divers.
The UNDA range will be available for pre-order through www.groundtruth.global from the 3rd of February 2025 with PADI members being given the first opportunity to buy via their channels. Join us in this pioneering initiative to explore, protect, and preserve our oceans for future generations.
For more information about the GROUNDTRUTH x PADI collaboration, click here.
About GROUNDTRUTH®
GROUNDTRUTH sparks a new generation of travel gear that enables and accelerates positive change, making a transformative impact to industries, processes and people. As a green technology business and lifestyle brand, at the heart of GROUNDTRUTH is the exploration and development of new materials crafted from the world’s pollution and plastic waste. Their patent-pending GT-OCO-CO2® hardware range, created from recycled plastic and captured CO2 Emissions, is a world first.
Utilising their origins as investigative documentary filmmakers, sisters and founders Georgia, Sophia and Nina Scott, have hand-built GROUNDTRUTH’s unique Bluesign® certified supply chain ecosystem with partners who share the brand’s ethos for people and our planet. Their mission and products are created to support and empower individuals who are making a difference, both in their communities and around the world.
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 29 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 AWARETM, creating positive ocean change. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.SM
Sharks dwell off the UK coastline, but did you know there is one that glows in the dark? Join Lloyd Rees-Jones at this year’s GO Diving Show in March when he takes to the UK Stage to showcase a very different side of our marine life when viewed in a different light (no pun intended!).
Lloyd Rees-Jones is a HSE Part 4 Media Diver, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, underwater videographer and seasoned volunteer with Neptunes Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC). For almost 20 years he has been completely captivated by three shore diving locations in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and every year he discovers something new that fills him with excitement for the season ahead and keeps him going back year after year.
Ultraviolet night diving in Pembrokeshire
Lloyd’s talk on the UK Stage will be about marine fluorescence and the nocturnal activities of our favourite coastal species, and will give a glimpse on how ultraviolet night diving has the potential to rekindle our passion for night diving – and also the hidden benefits it can bring to our UK diving adventures.
Go Diving Show 2025 takes place at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on the 1st -2nd March.
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