By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Engaging with the ocean through diving can profoundly influence our commitment to conservation. The experience of awe being in the presence of something vast and magnificent can be a powerful motivator for protecting our planet's oceans.
Dacher Keltner, author of Awe, The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life and a leading scientist at UC Berkeley, describes awe as a sensation evoked by grand natural landscapes, significant human experiences, and remarkable acts. Diving offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience this sense of wonder. By immersing ourselves beneath the ocean's surface, we encounter a world that feels both alien and mesmerizing, offering a momentary escape from everyday concerns.
My personal journey into ocean conservation began with witnessing the grandeur of the sardine run in South Africa. This massive migratory event, known as the "Blue Serengeti," involves billions of fish moving along the coastline, accompanied by predators such as sharks, dolphins, and whales. This awe inspiring event marked a turning point in my life, shifting my focus from Hollywood film production to full-time environmental journalism and underwater photography.
Traveling the world in pursuit of ocean stories has provided me with profound experiences and insights. In Tonga, for instance, I captured images of freedivers emerging from caves teeming with fish. Such encounters don’t always require scuba certification, sometimes, freediving or snorkeling can provide equally awe inspiring moments. Capturing these scenes through photography not only tells a story but also evokes emotions and inspires action. Sylvia Earle, renowned marine biologist, emphasizes that storytelling is crucial for conservation because it fosters empathy and motivates change.
While snorkeling often offers the best opportunities for interacting with marine life due to its lower impact and accessibility compared to scuba diving, there are also thrilling experiences for advanced divers. For example, liveaboard trips to places like the Galapagos or Revillagigedo Islands provide encounters with schools of hammerhead sharks, offering a humbling perspective on our place in the world.
Our connection with the ocean is deep rooted, akin to having seawater in our veins, as Bonnie Tsui notes in Why We Swim. Freedivers like Zandile Ndhlovu, who finds solace in the kelp forests off Cape Town, demonstrate the importance of making ocean experiences accessible to inspire broader conservation efforts.
Diving also aligns with regenerative travel principles, contributing to marine conservation and supporting local communities. For example, Cabo Pulmo National Park in Mexico, once overfished, now thrives as a protected area filled with marine life.
One of the most compelling examples of successful conservation is the establishment of a sperm whale reserve in Dominica. This initiative allows for regulated tourism that protects sperm whales while promoting biodiversity and economic growth. Encounters with these majestic creatures, particularly when observing their complex social behaviors, can deeply impact our perception and commitment to marine conservation.
Finally, even small, seemingly mundane marine environments can offer awe inspiring moments. In Thailand, for instance, a dive off Phuket revealed a unique scene of fish sheltering beneath a jellyfish. This experience reminded me that wonder can be found in the most unexpected places, encouraging us to appreciate and protect our local marine environments.
