A Small Step That Matters for the Ocean
Our Spiritus Team’s Coastal and Underwater Cleanup Experience
Recently, our Spiritus team joined a coastal and underwater cleanup project to protect the ocean and the life it supports. What began as a simple volunteer activity quickly turned into a powerful reminder of how deeply our actions affect marine ecosystems — and how much responsibility we share in preserving them.
The coastline we visited is known for its beautiful scenery and popular camping spots. Yet beneath its beauty lay a troubling reality. Fishing nets, plastic bottles, foam pieces, and other debris were scattered along the sand and wedged between rocks. Some of it was buried deep below the surface, evidence of how long it had been there.
Diving Beneath the Surface: Cleaning the Hidden World
This time, our work extended beyond the shore. Wearing scuba gear and carrying collection nets, part of our team entered the water to conduct an underwater cleanup dive. Descending beneath the surface revealed a very different view of the coastline. The water was calm and beautiful, but trash was scattered among the seafloor rocks and seaweed. Pieces of plastic drifted with the current, fishing lines were tangled around coral, and metal cans lay hidden in the sand.
Removing these items required focus and patience. Some fishing nets were tightly wrapped around rocks and sea plants, and in several places, we saw signs that marine animals had once been caught in them. Each item we removed felt significant. With every handful of debris collected, the water became a little clearer and safer for the creatures that live there.
The Challenges and Impact of Marine Debris
Even on land, the work was not easy. Abandoned fishing nets were heavy and deeply entangled. Pulling them free was physically demanding and often emotional, as we imagined the marine animals that might have been harmed by them.
This experience taught us how damaging marine debris can be, both above and below the water. Some of the long-term consequences include:
Ghost Fishing
Abandoned fishing nets continue to trap marine life even long after they are discarded. Fish, turtles, and seabirds often become entangled and die, disrupting the food chain and threatening biodiversity.
Injury and Death to Marine Animals
Marine creatures are frequently injured or killed by entanglement or by ingesting plastic waste. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, which leads to blockages and starvation.
Microplastic Pollution
Larger pieces of plastic eventually break down into microplastics that are nearly impossible to remove. These tiny particles enter the food chain through plankton, fish, and seabirds, and eventually reach humans.
Destruction of Marine Ecosystems
Marine debris can smother coral reefs and seagrass beds, destroying vital habitats and making it harder for marine species to feed, reproduce, and survive.
Small Actions, Big Change
One of the most powerful lessons from this cleanup was that even a single piece of trash can have lasting consequences. It showed us why collective action is so important. Every bottle collected, every net removed, and every piece of debris taken out of the water reduces harm and helps the ocean heal.
Our team left the site tired but deeply motivated. We plan to continue both shoreline and underwater cleanups and to make more environmentally conscious choices in our daily lives, from reducing plastic use to raising awareness about ocean conservation.
The ocean is one of the planet’s most precious resources, and its health affects all of us. While the scale of pollution can feel overwhelming, small, steady actions taken by many people can create real change. Together, we can protect the ocean — one dive, one cleanup, and one piece of trash at a time.
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