Instructor Gabriel Espino fights marine debris at his favorite local dive spot with Project AWARE

On Earth Day last year, Project AWARE launched its newest initiative in the fight against ocean trash: Adopt a Dive Site, which urges scuba leaders to engage in ongoing, local protection of dive areas through commitment to Project AWARE’s flagship marine-debris data-collection program, Dive Against Debris, which involves citizen scientists. In Adopt a Dive Site’s first year, 1,500 participants from more than 50 different countries across the globe removed and reported close to 45,000 pieces of marine debris — and the numbers keep growing!

The power of our movement starts with you: ocean lovers, scuba instructors and marine-conservation volunteers. You make up our vibrant community of marine-debris activists. Throughout 2017, we’ll take a closer look at the Adopt a Dive Site leaders spearheading this new wave of ocean stewardship.

Spotlight on Debris Activist: Gabriel Espino

Vieques, Puerto Rico

Scuba diver since: 2000

The ocean has always been Gabriel Espino’s second home. He trained to become a scuba diver at a young age and was lucky enough to be mentored by divers with extensive marine-conservation knowledge and expertise. His teachers encouraged him to assist in cleanups, taught him how to improve dive techniques to protect underwater environments, and emphasized the importance of ocean protection. Now a dive instructor himself, Espino is passing on this tradition to his students, teaching them how to care for the ocean — a precious resource — and encouraging them to pass on their knowledge as well.

Favorite dive site?

Mosquito Pier in Vieques, Puerto Rico. It is simply amazing to witness the different types of marine organisms you see in this one spot. Sharks, rays, dolphins and turtles are just some of its big visitors. It is an artificial-reef environment since it has grown on the side of a wave breaker and under a pier, but it is one of the most lush, biodiverse environments I have ever seen!

Why does Vieques, Puerto Rico, need to be protected?

Monofilament is the biggest issue at Mosquito Pier. There is a longline-fishing community that fishes here daily, and unfortunately, much of their line becomes lost, tangled or discarded at sea. Every time we dive here, we remove massive quantities.

Strangest piece of trash found underwater?

Twenty dollars — one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

How do you Adopt a Dive Site?

I lead monthly Dive Against Debris surveys with our dive shop, Black Beard Sports, and offer a free Dive Against Debris Specialty course training and certification to any divers who accompany me on the surveys.

Top Dives in Puerto Rico

Need another reason other than Mosquito Pier to plan a trip to Puerto Rico? Here are four dives you’ll love:

Patti’s Reef // Vieques

This easy, shallow fringing reef features healthy stands of staghorn corals and many cuts and swim-throughs to explore.

Candyland // Desecheo

Named for the childhood game, Candyland is a colorful treat — gigantic sea fans, lettuce corals, sponges, and pretty tropical fish.

Cayo Lobito // Culebra

Look for nurse sharks napping in the small caves at this site off the northwest side of Culebra.

Black Wall // La Parguera

You’ll find elegant black corals decorating the wall along its deeper sections, offering a lovely backdrop for photographers.