Plastic pollution
The impact of plastics on animals, the environment and humans is under-researched and poorly understood. However, thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we know that at least 800 marine species are harmed by plastics.
Our teams around the world clear beaches, the ocean floor and other fragile natural habitats such as mangrove forests of plastics and other human-made materials. Collected items are categorised and information is delivered to local and international organisations that advance research and help design stronger regulations.
Our staff and participants also run workshops that help international visitors and local communities reduce their own contributions to plastic pollution. In addition, over the past decade, we’ve collaborated with Fiji’s Ministry of Health to implement recycling initiatives in remote communities.
Our teams around the world clear beaches, the ocean floor and other fragile natural habitats such as mangrove forests of plastics and other human-made materials. Collected items are categorised and information is delivered to local and international organisations that advance research and help design stronger regulations.
Our staff and participants also run workshops that help international visitors and local communities reduce their own contributions to plastic pollution. In addition, over the past decade, we’ve collaborated with Fiji’s Ministry of Health to implement recycling initiatives in remote communities.
Our Current Initiatives
- Ocean floor cleanups in Seychelles in collaboration with Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris project
- Beach cleanups in Thailand in collaboration with Ocean Conservancy and Green FinsÂ
- Beach cleanups in Mexico in collaboration with Ocean Conservancy and Puerto Morelos National Park
- Beach cleanups in Costa Rica in collaboration with Tortuguero National Park
- Environmental education in South Africa in collaboration with local schools
- Environmental education and litter cleanups in Nepal in collaboration with local schools and other organisations
7039
kilograms of plastic collected by participants and community members in 2018
2744
Community members attended waste management awareness workshops
101
Waste management awareness workshops conducted various communities in 2018
Where you can contribute
Earn your PADI Open Water and volunteer to conserve the Belize Barrier Reef.
Earn your PADI Divemaster while experiencing the very best dives the Caribbean has to offer.
Start your diving and marine conservation career in one of the best destinations for both, Belize.
Work to conserve green, hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.
Join our international team in the Costa Rican jungle to learn about conservation and capture unique species on film.
Live with other teens on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast while learning about rainforest conservation.
Hike through the Costa Rican rainforest identifying reptile and amphibian species.
Conduct biodiversity research in the rainforest lining Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.
Assist in the protection and study of both aquatic and forest birds, whilst living and working in a Costa Rican rainforest.
Earn your PADI Coral Reef Researcher Distinctive Speciality and gain work experience in marine conservation
Contribute to preserving the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world
Earn your PADI Divemaster while gaining experience in marine conservation.
Learn about ocean conservation and earn your PADI Open Water Diver in Mexico.
Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver while learning about ocean conservation in Mexico.
Start your career in professional diving by completing a PADI Divemaster internship at a dive centre in Mexico.
Become a leader in PADI education specialising in creating awareness of the precious marine environment.
Learn practical skills in marine conservation and contribute towards your career development, while doing your part to preserve coral reefs in the Mexican Caribbean.
Start your professional diving career by earning your PADI Divemaster while exploring the underwater worlds of both Fiji and Mexico.
Contribute to whale and dolphin conservation while based on the sunlit island of Tenerife.
Conserve dolphins and whales on this teen volunteer project based on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Contribute to marine biology research and conservation while based on the island of Tenerife.
Join a marine biology and conservation internship based on the island of Tenerife.
Gain experience in ethical and sustainable marine ecotourism on the island of Tenerife.
Protect and conserve an important loggerhead turtle nesting area in the Mediterranean.
Conserve turtles on this teen volunteer project in the historic coastal town of Giannitsochori, Greece.
Learn to dive in the warm waters of Caqalai, while directly contributing to conservation efforts in the region.
Enter the global scuba diving realm by acquiring a professional diving qualification on this program, while gaining work experience in the marine conservation field.
Contribute to coral reef recovery research and other marine conservation initiatives on the small tropical island of Caqalai, Fiji.
On this instructive internship, you will spend time diving in the tropical waters of Caqalai, while participating in local conservation efforts.
Dive into the crystal blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean and contribute to coral reef preservation efforts in Fiji.
Learn to dive in the beautiful waters of Caqalai while supporting communities to sustainably manage their marine resources in the process.
Develop your professional leadership skills while working on coral reef ecology and conservation initiatives in Caqalai, Fiji.
Contribute to marine, coastal, and island conservation in Fiji and Thailand.
Earn your PADI Divemaster certification while exploring the waters surrounding the islands of Fiji and Thailand.
Start your professional diving career by earning your PADI Divemaster while exploring the underwater worlds of both Fiji and Mexico.
Contribute to marine and terrestrial conservation efforts and experience an unspoilt island paradise.
Scuba dive in the Indian Ocean on this critical conservation expedition.
Help to conserve three of the Seychelles' most important marine species, the sicklefin lemon shark, the hawksbill and the green turtle.
Scuba dive in the beautiful Indian Ocean and gain field work experience, all while contributing to vital marine conservation projects.
Collect data on coral reef health and recovery following climate-change-induced coral bleaching events while earning your PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Coral Reef Research Diver qualifications.
Learn how climate change is affecting Seychelles while contributing to the sustainable management of Curieuse Island.
Develop your scuba diving skills on this Divemaster internship in the Seychelles and Thailand.
Learn techniques for surveying tropical flora, fauna, and habitats while contributing to the sustainable management of Curieuse island.
Join us in contributing towards protecting the giant tortoises and the incredible island ecology of Seychelles.
Enter the global scuba diving industry with a professional diving qualification combined with work experience and marine conservation training.
Work on conservation initiatives on Mahe Island, boosting the rich and biodiverse ecosystem in the region, while also gaining formal qualifications for your own career advancement.
Contribute to the removal of invasive species on Curieuse Island to help native species recover.
Make the most out of your time abroad and experience two amazing locations, while volunteering on critical terrestrial and marine conservation projects.
Make the most out of your time abroad and experience two amazing locations, while volunteering on critical terrestrial and marine conservation projects.
Volunteer with sea turtles and renovate schools with other teens, while you explore Southern Thailand.
Assist in the conservation of Thailand’s natural environment on this all-encompassing expedition.
Lead beach cleans, analyse data collected, conduct plastic awareness workshops in the local community, and assist with sea turtle conservation in Thailand.
Develop your scuba diving skills on this Divemaster internship in the Seychelles and Thailand.
Get a headstart on your career in conservation when completing this six month conservation internship in Southern Thailand.
Take part in crucial conservation efforts by getting involved with turtle research in Phang Nga.
Contribute to marine, coastal, and island conservation in Fiji and Thailand.
Earn your PADI Divemaster certification while exploring the waters surrounding the islands of Fiji and Thailand.
Contribute to the preservation of two endangered species, while exploring the coasts of Southern Thailand and the forested hillsides of the North.
Contribute to coral reef conservation research in Southern Thailand.
GVI Volunteer Testimonials...
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GVI Volunteer Testimonials...
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Plastic Clean Up Impact Video...
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