If no one will do it, I will, says Suva Harbour environment advocate and professional diver Johnathan Smith.

A few days ago he started a campaign to raise funds to build or buy a vessel that will be specifically outfitted and used for harbour and coastal clean-up.

Captain Smith also dives in the Suva Harbour and has over the years displayed shocking images of what lies on the seafloor.

“We are deciding whether to build something or buy it. It cannot be too small because we may need to lift heavy weight off the floor,” Captain Smith said.

“It also cannot be too big, otherwise we have an issue with berthing it.

“The seafloor is lined up with all kinds of rubbish, from tyres, to ropes, fishing lines and a lot of other rubbish.”

An image by Johnathan Smith from Suva Harbour.

Captain Smith said once the clean-up is done, the next step would be to start planting coral and sea grass to revive the marine ecosystem in the Suva Harbour.

He said people have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that the ocean was still needed.

He said the funds collected would also go towards awareness programmes which would deter the dumping of litter into the ocean.

And while he is collecting funds through the GoFundMe portal on the worldwide web, Mr Smith continues to clean-up the seafloor with every dive he makes.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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