Over a third of all known shark and ray species are facing an increased risk of extinction, making them the second most vulnerable group of animals on the planet. Populations are continuously impacted by overfishing, loss of critical habitats, climate change and pollution. Meanwhile, scientists’ ability to monitor shark populations across the world is limited, and in some places there is no in-water monitoring of sharks and rays. To combat this issue, the PADI Aware Foundation has launched the Global Shark & Ray Census (GSRC), a global citizen science program that will engage the tens of thousands of active PADI divers and ocean enthusiasts around the world to document shark and ray populations at their sites. Citizen science is uniquely well suited to this kind of global effort as data can be collected across the globe. Indeed, the photos and imagery from fishers, divers, and people on the water has already identified shark and ray species range extensions (for example in the Solomon Islands), and even rediscovery of species thought to be extinct. The PADI GSRC program invites everyone in or on the water (divers and non-divers) to contribute data by logging sightings of any shark and ray species they encounter or monitoring specific sites to track population trends. The JCU team is providing scientific input and oversight of the sample design and data collection, and following collection, will carry out quality review checks and verification, as well as analysing and reporting on the data so that it can inform local and global management initiatives.