In my opinion, healthy oceans are the most important thing on earth. They produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, absorb huge amounts of CO2, regulate weather and temperature, and are home to a huge biodiversity.
They are the lifeblood of planet Earth and humankind.
Unfortunately, many people will never see the oceans. Others never venture further than the coasts, and when they do, they only see the surface. Waves coming and going. From the surface, everything seems the same. But in reality, things are changing… The oceans are increasingly being contaminated, with plastic being a main issue and a killer of birds, turtles, whales, etc.
The oceans are being overfished, with some species being driven to extinction. Precious habitats are being destroyed, existing marine sanctuaries are at risks of losing their protected status….
I could focus of the destruction that is happening, but instead I prefer to show the beauty of the underwater world. Many people would never have the chance to see those animals. As a diver, and as a photographer, I feel it’s my responsibility to showcase the beauty and diversity of what lives below the waves. And I wish that my pictures can raise awareness of what is at stake, and inspire people to care and protect our oceans. Those pictures are just a tiny representation of what is out there, but I do hope it will be enough to make the viewer interested in seeing/learning more about our oceans, and learning how to protect them. It all starts with one person, and the small choice we make on a daily basis can make a big difference. Say no to plastic bag…. Collect garbage you see on your walk on the beach… make sure the fish you eat is from a sustainable source…
So I hope those pictures can be the start of a project where people become aware of the incredible life in our oceans, why it’s important to have healthy oceans and what we can do to protect them.
