Q: Do you ever see any wildlife while diving for ocean trash in Tenerife?
A: I regularly get to see Loggerhead and Atlantic Green Turtles, Octopus, several species of Rays such as Stingrays, Eagle rays, Bull rays, Electric rays and huge Marbled Butterfly rays. Hiding in the rock crevasses are Fangtooth and Moray Eels, taking up residence in the nooks and crannies of the volcanic rock formations, as well as massive shoals of Barracuda, and on very special days, I'm treated to guest appearances from Smooth Hound sharks and the critically endangered Angel Shark.
Q: What about further out to sea?
A: Further out to sea, we have whales such as Humpbacks, Fin whales, Pilot whales, Brydes whales, Sei whales, Sperm whales and Minke Whales. We have five different species of Dolphins and occasional sightings of Whale sharks, the biggest fish in the ocean!
Though rare, we do have some sharks that can be seen by deep-sea charter boats, including Great Hammerheads, Short Fin Mako sharks and Basking sharks in the summer months. Though these sharks are some distance from the shoreline, they, just like all the marine life in the Canary Islands, are worth protecting.
Q: What is done with all the trash that you collect while diving?
A: Once the trash has been removed from the ocean, it is sorted into piles such as Plastic, Glass, Metal, Fabric and so on. The trash is then weighed and reported, and where possible, it is then upcycled into creative and useful items such as bird feeders, plant pots, jewellery and various eco-friendly craft projects. Items of trash left over are correctly binned in the various recycling units found all over the island.
Q: What about items of value? Do you ever find treasure?
A: Items of value, such as sunglasses, jewellery, phones and watches, are cross-posted on the numerous social media pages in the local area with the hope of returning them to their owner. When the original owner can’t be found, the items are donated to Live Paws Rescue Animal Shelter here in Tenerife. They provide fresh, clean water, food, shelter and care to sick, injured, and homeless animals while they wait for their forever homes. To find out more about their amazing work, please visit www.livepaws.net
