I think the carelessness of smokers is causing pollution to our oceans; whilst the issue of plastics in the ocean has gained widespread media attention, cigarette butt pollution is much less documented.

I recall a conversation with an American guy I was diving with Indonesia; whilst this was some time ago the principles remain undiminished. He had previously been diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, he explained the strict rules to me. He had been smoking on the boat and flicked his cigarette butt into the water, much to his surprise he was made to jump in the water and retrieve the rubbish he had just thrown into the ocean.

He told me he thought it was fair enough after he had time to think about it. Here he was diving in a pristine destination and the potential to spoil it had just been averted. He hadn’t really thought about the consequences of his actions and I am guessing the manner in that he was asked to retrieve his rubbish had a large bearing on his new attitude. I think that was fantastic, he now holds a greater awareness of ocean pollution and he did spreading the word.