An Ocean of Garbage Debris
“It’s no secret that marine debris is a primary threat facing today’s ocean, choking, suffocating, entangling and killing precious marine life and destroying ocean habitats.”
– Project Aware
The British Virgin Islands has some of the most beautiful waters and dive sites I have ever seen, but even they are not impervious to garbage. I have found meters and meters of fishing line tangled around coral, aluminum cans and glass bottles littering the ocean floor, countless bits and pieces of plastic among sea grass, and the list goes on.
Particularly after natural disasters, such as the hurricanes that ravage the Caribbean, you will find waste hidden below the surface of the seemingly pristine turquoise water. Next time you are diving, please be aware and do your part to clean up our oceans.
How to Help
- Bring a mesh bag with you on your dive and collect garbage as you go. It’s simple, but effective!
- Reduce the amount of plastic you use in your everyday life. Bring a reusable bag with you to the grocery store and refuse plastic straws.
- Adopt a Dive Site™ – be a steward for your local dive site!
- Report underwater debris to the Dive Against Debris Map.
- Looking to make your vacation eco-friendly? Learn some ways to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling.
By: Sasha R – February 28, 2020
