One of my favorite things I did on my SCUBAnauts trip to the Lower Keys was the cleanup dive with Southpoint Divers. We were able to remove a variety of debris, including rope and other trash from the ocean. It was a new type of dive that I had never experienced before, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to try another way to help protect our oceans.
Nauts work to remove thick rope during a cleanup dive in Key West.
One thing I especially loved about this dive was that we got to dive around a metal structure, which was really exciting to see. The dive was also very peaceful because the area we were in did not have a tremendous amount of debris. However, a few times I mistook pieces of queen conch shell for plastic until I got closer and was able to tell the difference.
One challenge I faced was cutting the ropes underwater. The ropes were fairly thick, so it took some time to cut through them. I also had to maintain good buoyancy while doing so, which made the task even more challenging.
At the end of the dive, we learned how to fill out a PADI Dive Against Debris Data Card. This form is completed after each cleanup dive and serves as a citizen science tool. The information collected helps scientists and conservation organizations better understand marine debris and can even be used to support policies and laws that help protect the ocean.
Overall, I thought the cleanup dives were not only an amazing experience but also a great learning opportunity. They allowed me to contribute to ocean conservation while developing new diving skills and gaining a better understanding of the impact marine debris has on our environment.
— Caroline F., Naut-in-Training, Savannah Chapter
