By Esther Jacobs, Communications and Conservation Specialist
The ocean’s breathtaking beauty is a reminder of its immense value, but beneath the surface, a growing crisis threatens marine life: plastic pollution. From colourful coral reefs to majestic dolphins, the underwater world captivates us, yet millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean each year.
Microplastics, often invisible to the naked eye, pose a lethal threat to marine species. Every turtle tested by researchers at the University of Exeter in 2018 contained microplastics in their digestive system. And a tiny loggerhead turtle rescued in 2023 by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation had ingested a shocking 121 pieces of plastic.
A Call to Action for Divers
As divers, we are uniquely positioned to lead in protecting the ocean, not just exploring its wonders. While government action is vital, we cannot wait for policies to solve the plastic problem. By reducing our own plastic consumption and participating in direct conservation efforts, we can make a tangible difference.
In response to the plastic crisis, Keep Fin Alive partnered with Earth Legacy Foundation and Go Dive Mossel Bay to create the revolutionary Clean Ocean Divers programme, a NAUI-certified course. This initiative is designed to empower divers, from Open Water level and beyond, to take action by conducting “deep cleans” during their dives, focusing on underwater debris removal. By equipping divers with knowledge and practical skills, this course helps them make meaningful contributions to ocean health.
The Clean Ocean Divers Experience
The programme offers an immersive learning experience that combines education, practical exercises, and real-world application. It starts with a presentation on plastic pollution, helping divers understand the full extent of the problem and its impact on marine ecosystems. Following this, participants engage in a hands-on workshop, practising safe debris removal techniques on mock objects like grapes, simulating delicate environments such as coral reefs.
The course culminates in a supervised clean-up dive, where participants apply their newfound skills to collect plastic waste, fishing line, and other pollutants from the ocean floor. But it doesn’t stop there—the data collected from these clean-up dives is analysed and contributes to ongoing national efforts addressing “ghost gear” and marine litter, offering a deeper sense of purpose and impact.
Beyond the Dive: How You Can Help
The fight for cleaner oceans isn’t limited to divers. Each of us can take steps in our everyday lives to reduce plastic waste and minimise our environmental footprint. By adopting reusable containers, reducing reliance on single-use plastics, and supporting eco-friendly brands, we can all contribute to the health of our oceans. Simple acts like picking up plastic from beaches or encouraging local businesses to reduce plastic packaging also create ripple effects that protect marine life.
Divers and non-divers alike can join the global movement for cleaner oceans. By working together, we can help restore the balance of our delicate ecosystems and safeguard them for future generations.
Join the Movement
The Clean Ocean Divers course, hosted by Keep Fin Alive, Earth Legacy Foundation, and Go Dive Mossel Bay, offers the opportunity to dive with a purpose. If you're passionate about protecting our oceans, visit https://earthlegacyfoundation.org/keep-fin-alive-projects/ or email scuba@godive.co.za to book your place. For NAUI dive schools interested in offering this course, please reach out for more information.
Together, we can dive not just for exploration but for the preservation of our blue planet.
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