Duikvaker news

New hand signal for plastic

28 January 2019 | Fair | Patrick

If we continue like this, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. That is why a group of diving companies and divers, together with the Plastic Soup Foundation, are introducing a new hand signal for divers: the P for Plastic.

Marine animals get entangled in plastic or mistake it for food. Every year millions of fish, birds and mammals die in a cruel way. Plastic soup also makes the coral reefs sick. Plastic acts like a magnet on toxins and bacteria can easily hitch a ride on it. A disaster for marine life and a threat to what we love to do: enjoy diving!

The Plastic Hand Signal

Divers use underwater hand signals for squid, turtles and sharks, but not yet for the biggest polluter of our oceans. If this continues, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050. That is why a group of diving companies and divers, together with the Plastic Soup Foundation, are introducing a new hand signal: the P for Plastic. With this sign, underwater divers can let their buddy know that they see plastic and take it with them and clean up.

The purpose of this hand signal is that as many divers worldwide as possible take action themselves and motivate their buddy and environment to help clear up plastic waste and of course prevent it.

The initiators

This hand gesture was developed by a diverse group of diving companies (including a diving travel agency, trainer, supplier and magazine), amateur divers and the Plastic Soup Foundation. The mission of the Plastic Soup Foundation is: 'No plastic waste in our water!'

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