Login
Login

Fostering Ocean Sustainability: Backing PADI AWARE

By Ying Yinn Boon

Share my page

Supporting the AWARE Foundation's effort in marine conservation

🌊💙 LET’S MAKE SOME WAVES! 🐠✨

I’m teaming up with PADI AWARE Foundation to protect the ocean — and I need your help to dive in!

Since 1992, they’ve been seriously killing it with: 🦈 Saving 104 species of sharks & rays
💸 Funding 200+ epic ocean projects
🧹 Removing over 2.5 MILLION bits of trash from the sea floor (talk about a cleanup crew!)

But the job’s not done yet — and the ocean still needs heroes like YOU.
Yep, you with the big heart and love for sea turtles. 🐢💕

💥 Every dollar you donate = real action for a healthier, happier ocean.
So grab your virtual wetsuit and let’s do this!

👇 Tap the link in bio to join the mission.
Let’s protect the big blue — one splash at a time! 🌊🌟

https://donate.padiaware.org/s/141/140


Your gift funds the work

Raised

$47 + $0 GiftAid

My Goal

$1,000

Select amount to donate

$10
$25
$50
$75
$100
$
Donate

All donations in USD

My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

My Updates

Another Underwater Cleanup at the Adopted Dive Site—Mamutik Shore

Thursday 24th Jul
Led by three instructors, Scott, Josh and myself and participated by 6 other newly certified Open Water Divers—Roan, Lewis, Izzy, Laura, Tom and Jacob, we picked up a total of 4.5kg (estimated) trash consisting of 52 items in total on 24 July 2025. I believe it’s mainly contributed by the daily tourists coming in and most of the plastic water bottles picked seem to be there for quite some time. It’s a meaningful dive with the students before they left the island.

Adopt The Blue at Mamutik Shore, Kota Kinabalu

Saturday 12th Jul
Although the island is under the management of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the concerns I have towards this beautiful island include: 
(1) debris in the sea
(2) coral bleaching
(3) loss of marine habitat
Which eventually led me to the decision of Adopt The Blue. 

We have been collecting trash every 4 days here at Mamutik Shore!

Saturday 12th Jul
We have been collecting trash every 4 days here at Mamutik Shore. Yet, we were still able to collect these in one dive. I believe majority came from the tourists who came in for island hopping, left the trash on the beach and got washed down by the tide. 

Another meaningful dive with students after their certification training dive!

Thursday 10th Jul
3 Jul 2025, Mamutik Shore, Kota Kinabalu --- together with Callum, Ned, Halina and Lily who were there for Camp International (Open Water Diver Course/ Scuba Camp), we collected an estimated of 1.3-1.5kg trash in one dive. Trash mainly consists of plastics, wrappers, plastic bottles, glass bottles, fishing line, aluminium cans, hat etc. 

Underwater Cleanup Dive with Samraj, Ben and Josh at Mamutik Shore

Thursday 10th Jul
On 8 July, Josh, Ben, Samraj and I did an underwater cleanup dive at Mamutik Shore. In just one dive, we collected around 800–1000g of trash—plastic bottles, food wrappers, a diaper, fishing net, electric cable, and even cement bags. It was a reminder of how much waste ends up in the ocean, often unnoticed.

This is why I’m taking part in the PADI AWARE Fundraise, and I need your help ‼️This global initiative supports real ocean protection efforts—like marine debris cleanups, habitat restoration, and community education. I’ve set a goal to raise USD 1000 by the end of this year, and every little contribution truly makes a difference.

Adopt The Blue - BBS Housereef, Tekek, Tioman Island, Malaysia

Wednesday 18th Jun
Seeing the amount of trash near shore and the lack of reef and marine life in the shallows during my freedive training with student, I decided to adopt this site—BBS Housereef—under PADI’s Adopt The Blue, a global initiative to protect and monitor local dive sites. By adopting this site, we aim to restore its health through regular cleanups, data collection, and hopefully encourage the return of marine life as reef structures and habitats are gradually improved.

Freedive Underwater Cleanup at BBS housereef, Tekek, Tioman Island, Malaysia

Wednesday 18th Jun
During Liwen’s freedive training with me in Tioman, we noticed the shallow waters near shore at BBS housereef were littered with trash—likely brought in by the tides. So after wrapping up our session, we took a little extra time to do an impromptu underwater cleanup and clear out some of the debris.

Don't Let Your Dives Go to Waste --- D'Lagoon, Perhentian Island, Malaysia

Saturday 10th May
Collected a total of 6.16kg from a dive at D'Lagoon, Perhentian, Malaysia together with Billy, Lueke and myself. We covered roughly 700m2 from 5-12m for a dive of over 53mins. 

Adopt The Blue at Labas, Tioman --- Sight of Coral Bleaching, Fishing Net, Crown of Thorns and Debris

Thursday 10th Apr
Taking action for Labas! 

During my dive as part of the PADI Adopt The Blue action, I saw firsthand the threats our oceans face: coral bleaching, plastics, debris, crown of thorns starfish, and fishing nets tangled in corals. The presence of crown of thorns starfish, in particular, can be damaging to coral ecosystems like those in Tioman Island, Malaysia. These starfish feed on coral polyps, and when their population grows unchecked, they can cause significant coral mortality, further stressing the reef that is already vulnerable due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

PADI Adopt The Blue is a global initiative where divers like us actively report the ocean condition and protect local dive sites. It's a call to all ocean lovers to help preserve marine life and keep our reefs healthy. 🌍💙

Whether you’re a diver, snorkeler, or ocean advocate, let’s unite to promote healthier oceans for all! 🌊🌿

Don't Let Your Dives Go to Waste --- Labas, Tioman

Tuesday 8th Apr
Had an amazing dive at Labas with Alex, Mina, Saloni, Ard, and Stephen—all jumping in to help with diving against debris! Super proud of the crew for stepping up and showing some serious love for the ocean. Every bit counts, and it’s awesome to be part of the PADI AWARE movement together!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1.06

Titus Quaik

$45.70

Xyz Sphere Plt - Yy, Mogan, Lueke, Billy, Wang Zhen

YY did a Dive Against Debris specialty course with four divers (Mogan, Lueke, Billy and Wang Zhen) at Perhentian on 19 April 2025, part of their course fee paid is contributed towards PADI AWARE.