A few months ago I started a Vegetarian diet after watching Mission Blue, the documentary was launched by Sylvia Earle one of my biggest hero’s. She made an interesting comment that she cares about the ocean and that is why she does not eat seafood (I am paraphrasing a bit). It hunted me so much, so I decided to stop hurting all animals and become a vegetarian with the aim to become a Vegan (After two months I am 100% vegetarian and about 90% vegan). 

What she said stuck with me a bit, As a Scuba Instructor I fell in love with the ocean from the first moment my head went underwater during my first Discover Scuba Diving experience. I started with the help of one of my Dive Masters and good friend to promote the protection of oceans from beginner level to Pro Level.  We made a point of it to telling all our students to watch Chasing Coral on Netflix, the documentary made them feel helpless, sad and wanting to do more. Afterwards I told them to watch Mission Blue, It’s so inspirational you cannot “not care” and you want to do more to save the environment. Sylvia Earle is so inspirational that she makes you want to do more for ocean protection and the environment. I have also now started to purchase Corral Friendly Sunscreen, Earth Friendly Bodywash and so on. 

Recently I went on holiday to Phuket (Thailand) it upset me so much to see how many plastic bags ended up in the ocean, I even started calling it “the most dangerous 7/11  predator fish”, My Niece (aged 11) thought it was funny but after explaining to her that sea turtles eat it and died, She even stopped accepting plastic bags from the local shop.  We started reusing our old plastic bags when going to the 7/11. Once back in South Africa I purchased a reusable bag for my shopping.  

As an individual don’t try and change the world first, Start with yourself and then the world.