Underwater Natural Heritage
Preserving the natural heritage of underwater ecosystems has become a prominent movement in society that has brought the diving community and scientific organizations closer together. This collaboration, also known as participatory science or citizen science, is aimed at promoting knowledge and preservation of biodiversity and habitats.
The "Natural Heritage" division within the CMAS scientific committee is dedicated to participating in scientific projects that manage knowledge about biodiversity through partnerships and alliances with public and private scientific organizations such as research institutes, naturalist networks, managers of natural areas, museums, and others. The goal is to share knowledge about plant and animal biodiversity and their ecosystems, so that society as a whole can take nature into account. This includes identifying and cataloging marine and freshwater species and habitats, invasive alien species, as well as protected or regulated species, and their temporal distribution.
Thanks to CMAS training in marine biology for divers, the committee has established a network of observers who can contribute to scientific programs and raise awareness among the diving community about the preservation of natural heritage.