Scuba diver spent nearly two decades cleaning up ocean

Scuba diver Đức picking up soft drink cans from the seabed during one of his dives. — Courtesy of Nguyễn Văn Đức

HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Scuba diver Nguyễn Văn Đức is dedicated to cleaning the ocean and he hopes his work will inspire others to do the same.

When he fist took the water 17 years ago, the 38-year-old was shocked to see the impact of waste on marine life.

Born and raised in Diên Khánh District, Khánh Hòa City, Đức pursued his higher education at Nha Trang University (formerly the University of Fisheries).

After graduation, he obtained his PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification in 2007.

With almost two decades working as a scuba driver, Đức has made numerous 'friends' along the way: well-camouflaged toadfish, vibrant scorpionfish, or a particular eel that become acquainted with Đức and his colleagues.

“During my dives to collect the trash, some fish actually recognise me, then they would start swimming close to me,” he said.

The underwater camera that he takes with him on every trip captures more than just the wonders of the underwater world.

“It was haunting to look back at the photos and witness the destruction happening under the sea because of plastic waste,” Đức said.

“It pains me to see the environment so severely damaged by human hands.”

Plastic bags stuck between coral reefs, tangled nets trapping fish and turtles, ensuring a slow, suffocating demise – these images propelled Đức to start cleaning up the ocean.

He said: “At first, cleaning up is just a spontaneous action for me. When I see the trash, I would collect it in a bag, or I would go pick up the floating plastics during boat trips.

"But then before I realised it, I became addicted to cleaning up trash.”

In the beginning, many people deemed his picking up trash in the ocean a fad but over time his meaningful actions have been well-received by others, inspiring fellow divers to do the same.

Đức also incorporates this module into his diving course. After teaching students the basic skills, he would take people underwater to pick up the trash.

This activity allows them to see the situation with their own eyes, work together and convey the message of protecting the marine environment.

To date, Đức instructed more than 500 people in his diving course, with many regularly accompanying him on dives to clean up the sea.

“There is no better campaign than rolling up your sleeves and start picking up the trash,” Đức said.

“It is incredibly amazing to come back to an area where you once dived and see the coral reefs growing, the changes in its inhabitants, a certain section flourishing, while others become even more splendid. It is also painful when you realise that several reefs have disappeared, or are entangled in the trash.”

This lesson goes beyond his class to young people in the community. Everyone lends a hand in cleaning up the ocean, from picking up and sorting the trash, helping collect trash on the boats, to raising awareness among their families and neighbourhoods.

Initially taking place only in Hòn Mun Marine Reserve (Nha Trang City, Khánh Hòa Province), now Đức’s actions have spread to many other areas, including Phú Quốc, Hội An and Côn Đảo.

According to Đức, diving and picking up trash from the ocean takes much more effort than on land, yet comes with its own rewards.

Seeing the coral reefs, the marine life, or the schools of fish after pulling out a net stuck amid the underwater forest can dispel all your fatigue, he said.

“My goal is to help the community realise the direct consequences that waste has on our life, our health, and the creatures living underwater,” said Đức.