Nassau, Bahamas, October 15, 2018: FOR MANY people marine debris is out of sight, out of mind. Thankfully however, divers have the unique ability to bring to the surface what is going on beneath the waves…and this is exactly what the student dive team of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Institute (BAMSI) has been engaging in over the past few weeks. The project is part of a global initiative called ‘Dive Against Debris’ which was first launched in 2011 by Project AWARE.

The dive team, accompanied by Dr. Vallierre Deleveaux, head of BAMSI’s marine science division and a PADI open water scuba instructor, removed debris from Captain Bill’s Blue Hole located in Blue Holes National Park in Central Andros. As a popular tourist attraction on the island the team felt it was important for the community to present the best possible image. At the end of the day the team collected nearly 80 pounds of garbage and debris from the blue hole.

Also working with the dive team – who are all open water and advanced open water certified - was a student snorkel team who provided surface support by collecting the debris-filled mesh bags from divers at the surface. The clean-up project removed several bags of debris, totalling 250 articles and weighing about 80 pounds. The largest offenders in terms of materials included glass, aluminium products and plastic materials. Beer bottles and cans formed the vast majority of these articles.

The main objective of the clean-up initiative and similar projects that BAMSI’s Student Affairs division is planning, to raise awareness and educate the students and the community at large about the importance of keeping the island’s environment clean. It only takes a small effort and consistency to work towards creating a cleaner and pristine environment for this and future generations.

Additionally, a second Dive Against Debris was conducted with a small dive team under the supervision of Dr. V. Deleveaux on October 3 at Uncle Charlie’s Blue Hole in North Andros. The site showed promise as marine debris pollution was found to be minimal within the blue hole. Further, the site had healthy aquatic fauna with a population of crabs and a blind fish species being present. The aquatic site exhibited relatively little anthropogenic impacts when compared to the first dive site.

The student dive team’s clean up initiative was encouraged and future efforts are planned to clean up other marine environments around the island of Andros.

‘Dive Against Debris’ includes two parts: debris removal and reporting. Removing rubbish improves the underwater habitat. Reporting any findings helps reveal the extent of the global marine debris crisis. Without debris data, scientists and conservationists cannot advocate for change. Since its initial launch, more than 30,000 divers in 50 plus countries have geared up to protect the ocean and the creatures who live there.

Dr. Vallierre Deleveaux, head of BAMSI’s marine science division and a PADI open water scuba instructor, explains to the students what is expected of them once they hit the water.

A safety buoy is placed in the water to help mark the areas being cleared.

Luca Young, a senior BAMSI marine science student, prepares one of the debris bags before beginning his dive.

While diving for debris is serious business, the students enjoy their time in the water.

The student dive team was able to collect nearly 80pounds of debris during this initial dive.