A dive can do more than fill you with wonder: it can produce useful data. On the Côte Vermeille, divers collect, count and report, turning their passion into commitment.
Dive Against Debris: cleaning up the sea while diving
Run by the PADI AWARE network, Dive Against Debris invites divers to collect underwater waste (plastics, nets, abandoned objects) and to record what they find. Every collection is logged in an international database that documents marine pollution and helps target action where it is needed.
Citizen science open to all
You don’t need to be a researcher to contribute. Monitoring fragile species such as the fan mussel, spotting invasive species (blue crab, lionfish), taking identification photos: the observations of amateur divers complement the work of scientists. In the Cerbère-Banyuls marine nature reserve, where the seabed has been closely monitored since 1974, every reliable piece of data is precious.
Raising awareness from an early age
On the Côte Vermeille, schools, clubs and associations regularly organise educational outings, biodiversity workshops and ‘clean dives’. The aim is simple: to get to know the sea so as to want to protect it.
You can contribute too
At MERveille, on 23, 24 and 25 April 2027, this commitment takes concrete form: citizen science workshops, demonstrations of responsible practices, meetings with the region’s associations. Everyone can find their own way to take action, with or without fins.
Before taking part in an activity at sea, get in touch with a club or a supervising association: safety and compliance with the rules always come first.