Debris Activist:  Curtis Snaper  Location:  Las Vegas, Nevada, USA  Diver Since:  1999

Growing up and living in Southern California and Southern Nevada throughout his life, Curtis Snaper was never too far from a large body of water. From his first breath underwater as a diver, he gained a deep respect and love for our ocean and fresh water environments. As a scuba diver, he’s always picked up bits of trash as he comes across them, aware of the negative toll that marine debris can have on marine life. As his frequent encounters with marine debris increased over the years, he grew compelled to take greater action. Now a master scuba instructor and 100% AWARE partner, Curtis conducts regular Dive Against Debris surveys and integrates Dive Against Debris education into every dive class he teaches. By spreading awareness among his students, he’s able to have a greater positive impact on his local dive environments, both above and below the water.

What’s your favorite dive site, and why do you love it?

#MyDiveSite is Cabinsite Point on the Arizona side of Lake Mohave just minutes from Laughlin, Nevada. It is a multi-use recreational area and one of our favorite dive training sites with lots of wildlife! Underwater, there are plentiful bluegill, bass, catfish and the occasional fresh water turtle, and along the shoreline there are big horn sheep, burros and roadrunners.

Why does it need protecting?

Our lakes and oceans are natural resources that are so often neglected and ignored. Though you don’t see it from above, trash beneath the waves sits, collects and pollutes the underwater ecosystems that a healthy planet needs to thrive. I’ve seen it all, from water fowl drowned by entanglement in fishing line to broken glass and fishing hooks in swimming areas.

As divers we are in a unique position: we not only see the degradation of our waterways firsthand, we also witness the positive difference that our Dive Against Debris surveys have on the environment as they become healthier and remain enjoyable as recreational areas.

Craziest piece of trash found underwater?

A fishing pole with fish still attached.  

How will you Adopt a Dive Site™?   

I pledge to Adopt a Dive Site by organizing Dive Against Debris surveys and cataloging the debris with my dive students on a monthly basis. I also pledge to reduce my use of plastic bags and single-use straws, encouraging my students to do the same.