Stories of Hope, Saving our Seas

FUTURE OCEANS

- JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU AND HOLLY S. LOHUIS

I have devoted my life to sharing my experiences of exploring the world’s oceans in hopes of inspiring people to seek their own emotional connection to the natural world. It is in nature where we can appreciate and understand the ecological connections that supports all life, including us. It is a place where wildlife is teaching us some of our most important lessons of our time. And yet these wild places are diminishing under our watch as we continue to urbanize the land and the oceans.

I am soon to celebrate my 85th birthday, or better yet, 77 years of diving. I am not the oldest diver, but I have been diving for the longest period of time. Ever since my father pushed me overboard at the age of 7 with the newly invented scuba tank on my back, I have had an immense honour and privilege to share my adventures of ocean exploration with the world through the production of films and television specials, lectures, and marine educational programs. And yet even after 77 years of diving, there are still many places I want to explore and discover. I am frequently asked what has been my best dive? And I always say, ‘The next one.’

So, what is next on my agenda? I am heading back to Maui, Hawaii, a special place where I first developed the appreciation of protecting whales and their oceanic home decades ago. It is in Maui where I will continue filming for my newest film project Jean-Michel