Save the BEYOND - SYMBOL OF THE SEAS | PROMASTER Global Campaign

SIMBOL OF THE SEAS

Interviews with three eco-heroes to discuss the significance of whale sharks and efforts to protect them.

DISCOVER

INTRODUCTION

Interviews with three eco-heroes to discuss the significance of whale sharks and efforts to protect them.

The pandemic lockdown had a major impact on the natural world. Wild animals reappearing in town centres and coastal waters… Clean waters and clear skies… Scenes that made us reflect on the problems facing the environment and the creatures living in it. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish, but, like the sea itself, we know very little about them. What we do know is that these emblematic creatures are now in danger. We meet the scientists and adventurers researching whale sharks in an effort to protect them and their marine habitats. They explain the practical actions we all can take to help save these extraordinary animals and the seas where they live. Knowledge is the first step to a better future. #SavetheBEYOND

Up to 50 feet in length,
the whale shark is the world’s largest fish. Beloved of the international diving community, these gentle animals have a key role to play in biodiversity. Because they eat vast quantities of plankton, their presence is proof of a healthy marine ecosystem. And their eating habits also benefit those same ecosystems by boosting sunlight penetration and water clarity. Recently, though, whale shark numbers have plummeted due to overfishing, vessel strikes and general environmental degradation. Classified as Endangered in 2016, the whale shark symbolises the crisis threatening our oceans.

In 2022, PROMASTER is launching a new Eco-Drive 200m model. Inspired by the 1982 Professional Diver, it takes its visual cues from the distinctive white spots of the whale shark and the vibrant blue of the seas where it lives. It embodies the passion for marine life and underwater exploration which PROMASTER shares with adventurers worldwide.

The whale shark and the environmental problems around it are the themes of the 2022 Save the BEYOND campaign, ‘Symbol of the Seas.’ We examine the significance of whale sharks and the efforts being made to save them through interviews with marine scientist Gonzalo Araujo, dive instructor Ahmed Nasheed and marine biologist Dr. Mark Erdmann.