Why Are Clean Up Dives In Sharm Are So Important?

PROTECT THE OCEANS – WHY PLASTICS ARE KILLING THE OCEANS.

Covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, the oceans are at the heart of all life on the planet. Over 50% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the natural processes of ocean plankton – that’s every other breath. Yet the oceans are in crisis!

As an eco-conscious dive centre, Circle Divers works with local initiatives in both Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh for clean-up dives to help reduce the pollution of the Red Sea, especially plastics.

The Scary Facts About Plastics In The Oceans

Currently, plastic makes up 80% of the pollutants in the ocean, with around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year.

Research predicts that by the year 2050, plastics in the oceans will outweigh all the fish.

A plastic bottle will, on average, take up to 450 years to biodegrade, but some plastics can take 1000 years.

What Are The Effects of Plastic On The Ocean & Marine Life?

Did you know that over 1000 turtles (at the very least) die from becoming entangled in plastic every year?

When a turtle or any other marine life becomes entangled, they risk choking to death, losing limbs, or generally injuring themselves (sometimes beyond repair).?

It’s also estimated that 52% of all sea turtles have eaten plastic particles. A plastic bag can often look like a jellyfish to a turtle, and what turtle doesn’t enjoy chowing down on tasty jellyfish?

When consumed by turtles, plastics can cause blockages in their intestines, often piercing the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding. Perhaps a more distressing death is that air pockets caused by the plastic in a turtle’s stomach can imitate the sensation of being full, and the turtle neglects to seek other food. Ultimately, they will die from starvation.

It’s not just the marine life, though; plastics in the oceans can be harmful to humans, too. Plastic can be carcinogenic and affect the body’s endocrine system, causing developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders.

Toxic contaminants can often accumulate on plastic’s surface and later be transferred to humans through the consumption of seafood.

Clean Up Dives: Removing The Plastic Pollution from The Red Sea

Circle Divers are pleased to support local Clean Up Dive initiatives to help protect the oceans

Both land and sea-based clean-ups, these events are regularly organised by local environmental agencies and dive centres. As divers we have the perfect opportunity to act as ambassadors for the protection of the Red Sea – and remove plenty of the polluting plastics and waste materials too including cigarette butts, discarded drinks cans or food wrappers, and neglected fishing lines or nets.

Check out our socials for pictures of the waste that has been collected on previous or even current clean-up dives.

How Can You Help Protect The Ocean?

1. Reduce Your Plastic Waste. Say no to single-use plastic bottles. Use a recyclable drinking beaker or container. Cut down on the amount of plastic being produced. All Circle Divers boats and the dive centre itself have water towers/dispensers where you can easily refill your drinking cup, bottle or flask.

2. Dispose of garbage correctly. Take your garbage with you or put it in the waste bin. Please don’t dump any empty crisp packets, etc, overboard. Don’t throw cigarette stubs into the ocean or leave them on the beach – each stub takes over 10 years to biodegrade and can be full of toxins harmful to marine life. If you can’t find the bin, ask the crew, who will happily dispose of any garbage for you.

3. Participate in clean-up events. Look at social media and dive centre notice boards for details of any upcoming clean-ups. It doesn’t have to be the Red Sea, check if any local dive centre or when on holiday have organised events.

4. Get involved early. Space on the boats or permissions can be limited for many clean-up dives, so it’s better to sign up early.

5. Clean as you go and educate. Nothing is stopping you from doing a mini-beach clean-up or educating others to clean the oceans and the marine environment.

Watch the Circle Divers socials or ask our instructors for any upcoming clean-up events and how you can help