SNORKELLER SEARCHES THROUGH THOUSANDS OF BOTTLES TO SAVE 50 TRAPPED FISH
WITH PIX AND VID
By Shuk Yee Tsang
Even on holiday, a conservationist couldn’t turn a blind eye to the ocean’s pollution problem, diving into the waters to rescue fish trapped inside discarded bottles.
The diver was Jasper Wilkins, 32, originally from Birmingham, UK, a digital nomad and conservation activist who filmed the rescue while snorkelling in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions.
Jasper said his passion for marine life stems from his belief that oceans are vital to all life on Earth.
Mr Wilkins explains: “I was shocked to see so much trash.
"I looked through thousands of pieces of trash during this time and found over 50 fish living inside.
"Apparently, a lot of it comes from neighbouring islands where there’s not good infrastructure for waste disposal.
“After finding the first fish living inside a discarded bottle, I looked for hours and probably found over 50 fish living inside and around the trash.
“These small fishes sometimes use it as protection, but if you consider that trash can float in the ocean for hundreds, if not thousands of years, it’s probably more ethical to take the trash.
“The oceans produce over half the oxygen we breathe and regulate the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and heat.
“Humans take trillions of marine animals each year and hardly anybody cares about them, that’s why I try to help protect the oceans.
“ A lot of my time is spent protecting nature.
“If you love the ocean, help raise awareness about how people can protect it.
" Commercial fishing is very bad for marine life, so becoming plant-based is one of the simplest ways people can help prevent the killing of marine life and ocean pollution.
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