Favourite marine animal: Angel Shark

Favourite Dive ever: Last year, during a night dive on Abades House Reef, where I swam alongside an Angel Shark. The beautiful adult shark was slowly and calmly swimming along, not bothered by me at all for several minutes and then stopped, and hid himself completely under the sand. They are such amazing creatures!

What’s your first memory of the ocean? In Holland, I didn’t live close to the ocean, I have some early memories, but it was cold and windy and we didn’t go often. I really saw the ocean for the first time on a family holiday in Turkey. She was impressive, the waves were a whole new experience. I’ve always loved being in the water. My first real memory of the ocean is my first scuba dive, I remember it very well. A whole new world opened right before my eyes. My first dive was in Tenerife, and the volcanic underwater landscape was unforgettable. It made me forget about everything else in the world, and the feeling of weightlessness made the experience complete.

What does diving mean to you? It means everything to me. I have always loved being in the water, and being underwater is the only way to be truly one with the ocean. I love how diving changes people, makes people care for and understand the ocean and our planet. It is my passion, my hobby and my life, and I am so happy I found diving! I have no idea what I would have done otherwise, but I believe everything is for a reason, and my life has led up to me being an ambassador for the ocean.

How did you first get involved with Project AWARE? I have always picked up debris when I’ve seen it on beaches and other places, even as a child, sometimes to the annoyance of my mum. The world has changed so much since then. Now people are much more aware and actively go out to pick up debris. When I did my PADI Divemaster internship, I quickly found out I wasn’t alone in my passion to keep nature debris-free and found out about Project AWARE. Most divers I have met, are very passionate about protecting the ocean, and with it our planet. Now it has become my duty to inspire as many others to do the same, in diving and also in daily life. No bottles, bags, straws or cups.

Why did you start submitting your Dive Against Debris data?  I think it is important to submit the data so it can be used to see where the more problematic areas are. It’s great that Project AWARE is giving us all a way to make picking up debris even more meaningful, and use that data to do even more for the environment.

Tell us more about your adopted dive site? I have chosen ‘Abades House Reef’ as my adopted dive site for a few different reasons. First of all, it is a Marine Protected Area, however, unfortunately, we still see fisherman here sometimes. We do our best to educate the local fisherman about the laws in this area. Secondly, Abades is a beautiful beach that attracts many people who like to bring their caravans and campers here. They tend to throw their debris everywhere, and because of this, it’s a never-ending battle of Diving and Walking Against Debris. Because of our and other divers’ efforts, Abades is now a reasonably clean dive site, and the site is blooming. We will continue to collect debris and inspire more and more people to do the same.