As part of the dive master program here at Ban's we are required to participate in at least 5 beach or reef clean ups. So, just about every Wednesday I am walking up and down the beach picking up after disgusting people that think it is okay to throw rubbish all over our beautiful island and ocean. I really don't mind it, in fact, I find it rather gratifying, which is why I continue to show up every Wednesday even though I have far surppassed my 5x requirement.
Today I got to participate in my first reef clean up, and together roughly 30 of us picked and disposed of over 60 kilos of trash from a local cove. I removed a fishing net that was spread out across the ocean floor. When I rolled it up it was about the size of a basketball. Its things like this, carelessly left in our oceans, cut loose from fishing vessels, that whales, turtles, and so many other marine creatures get caught in and die because of. Someone once told me about a dead sea turtle that washed up on one of Koh Tao's beaches. When they cut it open they found plastic twisted up in its belly. It's unreal the way some people treat this beautiful planet we are so lucky to call home. Every week I am incredibly saddened by the amount of rubbish we find, but happy that I am able to do any small part in cleaning up other ignorant peoples mess.
So I send out a simple plea to anyone who may be reading my tiny blog.....please, please, please dispose of trash in a responsible way. Our oceans are incredible, other-worldly places that can and should be enjoyed, not trashed.
Today I got to participate in my first reef clean up, and together roughly 30 of us picked and disposed of over 60 kilos of trash from a local cove. I removed a fishing net that was spread out across the ocean floor. When I rolled it up it was about the size of a basketball. Its things like this, carelessly left in our oceans, cut loose from fishing vessels, that whales, turtles, and so many other marine creatures get caught in and die because of. Someone once told me about a dead sea turtle that washed up on one of Koh Tao's beaches. When they cut it open they found plastic twisted up in its belly. It's unreal the way some people treat this beautiful planet we are so lucky to call home. Every week I am incredibly saddened by the amount of rubbish we find, but happy that I am able to do any small part in cleaning up other ignorant peoples mess.
So I send out a simple plea to anyone who may be reading my tiny blog.....please, please, please dispose of trash in a responsible way. Our oceans are incredible, other-worldly places that can and should be enjoyed, not trashed.
Every week a group of DMTs walk the beach collecting trash
On our way to the reef clean-up
Roll call
Briefing
Pre dive group shot
Don't throw your trash in the ocean...or else!
Vilde and me collecting trash on the ocean floor...Vilde found a wallet....empty
I rolled up a fishing net laid out across the bottom of the sea...it was about the size of a basketball....I feel really good about getting that thing out of the water
Post dive group shot
Team DMT....saving the ocean one dive at a time
More than 60 kilos of trash collected at the end of the day...what a fantastic accomplishment
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