Beneath the Waves: A Freediver's Call to Action on Plastic Pollution

Imagine this: you’re on your dream summer vacation, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

A flash of vibrant blue catches your eye – it’s Dory! Heart pounding, you swim closer for a glimpse. But as the shape resolves, your excitement crumbles. It’s a plastic bag.

Freediver Janine experienced this firsthand. Encountering discarded bottles and forgotten sachets is a common and harsh reality for freedivers, a reminder of the danger plastic poses to the ocean’s delicate balance.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive (pun intended!) alongside the underwater explorers from the Freedive Tribe PH. We’ll see the impact of plastic pollution from their lens and explore how we can all be part of the solution.

Beneath the Beauty: Freediver Encounters with Plastic Pollution

Freediving, the art of exploring the ocean depths on a single breath, offers a unique and personal connection with the underwater world. Unlike scuba diving, freediving allows you to experience the ocean in its purest form – no breathing equipment, just you and the water.

The silence and peace in the deep amplifies the awe of a freediver’s experience. There, coral reefs pulsate with color, schools of fish shimmer like jewels, and creatures glide gracefully.

“Ang dagat, eto talaga yung number one source of life nating lahat. Dito rin yung nagbibigay ng peace and calmness.” – Ogie, freediving instructor

“…when we freedive, nakikita namin yung ganda ng dagat… we’re one of the hot spots for marine biodiversity.” – Lawrence, freediving instructor

Sadly, the breathtaking beauty beneath the waves is marred by a growing problem – plastic pollution. Janine, a freediving coach, recounts her unforgettable encounters with plastic waste underwater: “A wave of trash came by then may napulot akong sachet na may laman pa…corals are growing inside the ocean as they are also living things. I took it (it’s like a 3-in-1 shampoo sachet) because if it disintegrated, kakainin rin siya ng nakapaligid don… When we throw our trash or plastics around, kapag nacover siya ng sand, it will take ilang years bago siya mag disintegrate and again, it ruins the soil, it ruins the ocean, it ruins everything…”

Lawrence also shares a sobering experience during one of his dives, “Sometimes makikita mo yung… resident sea turtles namin dito which are hawksbill sea turtles na critically endangered, tapos biglang may plastic waste or single-use plastic na makikita ka, or plastic bags malapit sa kanila tapos malapit na nilang kainin… we need to do something about this.”

How Plastic Pollution Affects Us All

While freediver experiences offer a firsthand glimpse of the ocean’s beauty and vulnerability to plastic pollution, the issue extends far beyond their dives. Here’s why plastic pollution is a pressing concern for all of us:

• A staggering 36.38% of global plastic waste in oceans came from the Philippines in 2019, dwarfing the second-largest polluter, India (12.92%). (Source: Earth.org)
• Experts warn plastic in our oceans could nearly triple by 2040 (23-37 million tonnes) if we don’t change how we manage it. Currently, the estimated plastic burden sits between a staggering 75-199 million tonnes.  (Source: UN Environment Programme)
• Microplastics have been detected in various sources like drinking water, salt, beer, and soil, raising concerns about human health due to potential hormone disruption and exposure to carcinogens. (Source: Unesco)

“As a free diver and as a Filipino, I hope that generations after me will come to appreciate the waters as I am doing right now. But I’m worried that might not happen, if we do not do something about the plastic pollution.” – Val, freediving coach

Turning the Tide: How You Can Be Part of the Solution

The breathtaking beauty witnessed by freedivers is under threat from plastic pollution. But fret not. The power to turn the tide lies within each of us. Here’s how you can be part of the solution to plastic pollution.

1. Ditch Disposables, Embrace Reusables: Invest in reusable shopping bags, water bottles, coffee mugs, and food containers. Each “no” to single-use plastic makes a difference.

2. Become a Recycling Rockstar: Learn and diligently sort your waste based on local recycling guidelines. Research “what can be recycled in my area?” to ensure plastic gets properly processed. 

3. Pack Smart, Travel Light: Minimize single-use plastics when traveling. Pack a reusable water bottle and use reef-friendly sunscreen (without microplastics). Especially when traveling to the ocean, consider switching to shampoo bars. They’re compact, eliminate plastic bottles, and you not only get to cut back on plastic usage but on your budget too!

4. Join the Cleanup Crew: Witnessing plastic pollution firsthand can be a powerful motivator for change. Take action by participating in cleanup dives or beach cleanups.

5. Lead by Example: Start the change with your own choices. Let your family and friends see your commitment to a plastic-free lifestyle. Inspire them to embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives.

Remember, every small action adds up. By embracing these simple steps and becoming a champion for change, you’ll be a driving force in turning the tide on plastic pollution. Let’s work together to protect the beauty of our oceans for generations to come!

“There is always hope. Each and every one of us has the power to make a difference whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, supporting sustainable fishing practices or simply picking up trash at the beach or ocean. We all have a part to play in protecting our oceans.” – Ekai, freediving coach and certified yoga teacher