One of my first times scuba diving I witnessed something shocking that blew my mind - blast fishing. I could not understand why we would destroy our oceans in such a way. It reflected a bigger problem - a problem of disconnection from nature. Just because we cannot see beneath the water we are not aware of the impact that we have on it - and how it impacts us in return. Although blast fishing has reduced significantly in Tanzania, other unsustainable fishing practices threaten our ocean and its carbon potential. Using the wrong kind of industrial nets destroys seagrasses, mangroves and phytoplankton that absorb carbon and therefore contribute to climate change and disrupt the balance of the ocean. Our high level of consumption and desire for more perpetuates a vicious cycle of destruction.
However it does not all have to be doom and gloom. In this film, Tumaini (meaning Hope in Swahili), I am delighted to discover how we can save our ocean and mitigate climate change by establishing marine protected areas. Mafia Island is an example of how the community can work together with the government to promote sustainable fishing. The film showcases how humans have a role in ensuring that we maintain the right equilibrium between consumption and protection. We are interconnected with all other creatures in the world. If they are able to thrive, then so are we. If they suffer, then so do we.