As he celebrates his 99th birthday BSAC sends its warmest wishes to Sir David Attenborough.
Sir David, since his first dive on the Great Barrier Reef in 1957, has undoubtedly been one of the most influential figures in bringing both the wonder and plight of the oceans into the lives of millions.
Katherine Knight, Chair of BSAC's Environment Committee said:
I vividly recall fist watching Blue Planet in 2001. Being utterly mesmerised by the beauty of the otherworldly deep-sea bioluminescence and blinking back tears as a pilot whale mother nuzzled her dead calf, poisoned by plastic contaminants from her milk. I also had an overwhelming sense that this would be a watershed. The world would see some of the wonder that we as divers have been able to witness, and they would no longer be able to turn their backs on the ocean. Happy Birthday Sir David, and thank you.
Since Blue Planet there has been a groundswell in interest and passion for protecting our oceans. It is easy to lose sight of hope amid the myriad messages of harm happening in the seas. But celebrating his birthday with the release of his new film Ocean, one of Sir David's key messages is hope. He is keen to share his belief that all is not lost, when he said:
Saying that, the ocean can bounce back to life. If left alone it may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.
On entering his 100th year Sir David said:
After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.
Ocean was released on 8 May and is showing in cinemas across the country. Learn more at oceanfilm.net
