The Our Ocean 2015 international conference in Chile is less than one week away – October 5-6, and Project AWARE divers are taking action, now more than ever, to fight back against marine debris.

Through Dive Against Debris, scuba divers are utilizing their unique underwater skill set to highlight the ways that trash beneath the waves is harming ocean ecosystems and wildlife. Divers’ grassroots efforts are spreading across the globe and reaching the furthest corners of the earth, including some unexpected locations! Saeed Balala, ocean activist in Mombasa, Kenya, is taking giant strides against marine debris.

Saeed Balala grew up in Kenya, East Africa, a place where most youth are not exposed to ocean biodiversity. He explains that this lack of exposure results in a lack of knowledge and awareness of ocean issues, like marine debris. Without a personal connection to the ocean, many do not understand the challenges it faces, nor feel compelled to protect it. A community organizer by nature, Saeed has made it his mission to change this and instill ocean activism across his hometown of Mombasa, Kenya.

Saeed’s decision to advocate for marine conservation occurred during a visit to the coast, when he witnessed sea turtles and birds entangled in marine debris carelessly left behind by beach goers. Compelled to pursue a career in conservation, Saeed went to school to study Tourism Management and soon became a tourism officer stationed at Kenya Wildlife Service Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park. Here, he researched and studied the interaction between wildlife and local communities. He became scuba certified and began working more closely on sea turtle protection efforts. When he learned about Project AWARE’s work on marine debris, he knew he had to get involved.

In honor of Project AWARE’s Beneath the Waves campaign highlighting the negative impacts of trash in underwater environments, Saeed led the largest-ever Dive Against Debris effort with Project AWARE volunteers in Kenya. Over 250 volunteers gathered, cleaning 4 miles (about 8 kilometers) of coastline across six different beaches. They removed over 1500 pounds of trash. The Dive Against Debris coincided with the launch of a local recycling center, where volunteers sorted and recycled over 1500 pounds (about 700 kilograms) of waste collected. In an area where understanding of the marine debris issue is not widespread, Saeed’s efforts made a lasting impact on the community.

Join Saeed in taking action against marine debris beneath the waves. Dive Against Debris today!