I’m Back!

People often ask what’s my favourite photo I’ve ever taken underwater… well that’s a tough one. I LOVE my Bobtail Squid photos and of course there’s my lucky anemone shot. But personally, the one that’s made the biggest impact and means the most to me is… a plastic bag!

Now I’m pretty certain as ocean lovers we’re a bit more aware of news reports about our seas. Over the last few years I’d noticed a real increase in the number of stories about whales, porpoise and dolphins washing up on our shores with the stomachs full of plastics. In fact, at one point a couple of years back it seemed like there was a new one every week. Like everyone else I was absolutely disgusted with the images, it was heart breaking to see these unbelievable animals dying as a direct result of our actions. But, if I’m being completely honest with myself it wasn’t until I experienced plastic waste first hand I began to understand the issue.

A couple of years ago while diving just off the coast in the Clyde need Inverkip we were coming up to our safety stop on the line when a black mass “wafting” towards us. Now, I was absolutely convinced it was a jellyfish. I love capturing jelly fish! They might be the scourge of the beach goers, but underwater they’re incredible creatures to witness… just stay out of reach of the tentacles! The way they move in the water, the wonderful shapes they make as the ocean currents carry them along is mesmerising! So, I started to get the GoPro set (this was before I moved on to my “big” camera) and hit record…

Slowly it came in to focus, becoming pretty clear it wasn’t what I was hoping for! As the current brought it closer and shifted it to face us letting the lights to catch it properly it was obvious it definitely wasn’t what we’d expected. Now, unless this jellyfish is some sort of trend setter in the marine scene it was pretty clear it was a plastic bag, the inscription on the side read… “I’m Back”. You seriously couldn’t write the irony of the situation.

I’m no marine biologist and I’m not sure if it really makes a difference, but what struck me was the fact this bag was floating midwater at about 6m. It wasn’t lying on the seabed or on a beach, this, I would imagine, was in the perfect position for the likes of porpoise (which there is a few of in the Clyde) to see it as a tasty meal. It became so clear, literally and metaphorically, why these amazing animals mistake our plastic bags for food.

I can’t pretend I’ve suddenly turned into an “eco-warrior” now, but it’s definitely made me stop and think… do I really need that plastic bag at the shops, cause one day it might just come “back”.