News
PADI Channels Shark Week Excitement to Raise Awareness About the Importance of Shark Protection

While all eyes are on sharks this week, PADI® is harnessing the public’s fascination with sharks to dispel myths and raise awareness about the vital role these apex predators play in the ocean. As part of the organization’s Four Pillars of Change initiative, the Marine Animal Protection Pillar embraces PADI’s commitment to shark and ray protection by engaging PADI Dive Centers, Resorts, professional members and divers to educate the public and increase support for Project AWARE® and other conservation partners.
Project AWARE, PADI’s long-term partner, advocates for policies that bolster and safeguard protections for vulnerable sharks and rays. With the dive community’s help, Project AWARE and partnering organizations have secured historic protections for shark and ray species over the past 10 years. PADI Members can continue to be a significant force in protecting sharks by further educating student divers about threatened shark and rays species, and by incorporating the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty into course offerings.
In May 2017, Project AWARE released Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism: A Guide to Best Practice, which offers practical, best-practice guidance that can be used by tourism operators, nongovernmental organizations and local communities to create and maintain tourism operations that are well managed, help conserve sharks and rays, and benefit the community. When divers have the opportunity to see sharks or rays, they become ambassadors for these awe-inspiring creatures.
The PADI organization is also leveraging expertise from divers in the PADI AmbassaDiverTM community, such as shark conservationist and PADI Divemaster Jillian Morris, to increase shark and ray focused content across PADI communication channels and social networks. This week, PADI will release the latest video in its #mypadi series of inspirational stories. The video showcases the journey of Mike Coots, a young surfer who, after losing his leg in a shark bite incident, is dedicated to challenging people’s unhealthy perceptions of sharks, and he finds understanding and peace through diving. “The irony is undeniable – you would think losing a limb to a tiger shark that I would be scared of them, but it’s completely the opposite,” says Coots. “I have an incredible respect for sharks and I want to share my story with others so that they are inspired to not only protect them but to get in the water and experience what it’s like to see them face to face in their element because it will forever transform the way they feel about sharks.”
PADI Members have the unique ability to be a force for good that impacts divers, the dive industry and the oceans. Join in the #padi4change conversation, engage in responsible environmental practices and share key insights to drive awareness to the importance of marine animal protection. PADI Members and divers are driving change, not just during Discover Channel’s Shark Week but every day and can share their stories to inspire others to do the same. If you have a story you want to share, email fourpillarsofchange@padi.com.
Visit projectaware.org to support Project AWARE’s shark and ray conservation year round.
Source: www.divenewswire.com
News
PADI Launches World’s First Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course with Octo Diver

Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Blogs
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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