[3 min read]
For the past 6 years, Plymouth has been my home. It was from this historic port that Charles Darwin set sail on a transformative voyage to the Galapagos. His exploration and observations in this haven for nature unraveled one of science’s greatest mysteries – natural selection and evolution.
The Galapagos teems with life. Joining Galapagos Sky gave me an incredible opportunity to explore this underwater world filled with nearly 3,000 marine species. More than 20% of these species are found nowhere else in the world! Some peacefully glided past us, others playfully interacted and some remained hidden in the shadows.
Diving in the aquatic paradise of the Galapagos, I came face to face with an ancient creature that has navigated the ocean for over 450 million years –sharks! This was my first time venturing amongst these magnificent creatures, and any initial apprehension soon turned into sheer wonder and curiosity. Sharks contribute towards a happy and healthy ocean. However, sadly scalloped hammerhead sharks are on the brink of extinction due to our unsustainable fishing practices.
Yet, there is still hope. Galapagos Marine Reserve is home to the highest concentration of sharks in the world. The Galapagos Conservation Trust’s Endangered Sharks of Galapagos programme is striving to shield sharks from fishing threats. By focusing on the protection of sharks throughout their lifecycles, this initiative builds towards a happier future where sharks can thrive and continue to enrich our oceans for generations to come.
Sharing this trip with a great bunch of people made getting to dive in the Galapagos extra special. Spending Christmas away from family and friends was eased by the team’s warmth and friendliness, and made the Galapagos feel like home for the week. Diving in this incredible part of the world has deepened my appreciation for nature and understanding of our extraordinary underwater world.
A huge thank you to Galapagos Sky for this incredible opportunity and for making the trip so fun!
A huge thank you to Rolex, the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society, Divers Alert Network and my equipment sponsors Fourth Element, Suunto, Halcyon Dive Systems, Reef Photo and Video and Nauticam. Their continued support, along with the dedication of countless volunteers and hosts, has transformed this incredible opportunity into a reality. I’m excited about the adventures that await in the coming year.
