Dominic Adriaanse
EXTREME endurance swimmer Justin “The Water Buffalo” Coetzee swam with sharks yesterday to raise awareness about pollution in the oceans.
Dressed only in swimming trunks, he took to the cold waters of the predator tank at the Two Oceans Aquarium to swim with three ragged-tooth sharks.
He was accompanied by three experienced drivers who kept the predators at bay.
He took to the tank to raise awareness of plastic pollution and the devastating impact it has on sea life.
Many creatures ingest plastic and either die or get entangled in it.
Besides the three sharks, the aquarium boasts 200 sea creatures from 10 different species, including loggerhead sea turtles and yellowtail fish.
Coetzee considers the conservation of the ocean a major part of his life as he spends a lot of his time swimming.
He recently became an ambassador for the aquarium to help create awareness around plastic pollution and inspiring people to take action, to use and reuse plastic.
Being much of his focus, seals, especially the harbour seals, are important because they play an integral role in the ecosystem, said Coetzee.
“Seals in our waters are at risk from plastic debris and pollution each day. Future swims in part will be in dedicating our efforts to a broader ocean plastic pollution awareness campaign.”
Aquarium curator Maryke Musson said ocean warriors such as Coetzee experience the reality of the state of our oceans daily, and instinctively want to protect what they love.
“Justin’s extreme swimming has taken him to all corners of the Earth, and he has seen, felt and experienced this planet of oceans.
“He knows we need to save the oceans to also save ourselves,” said Musson.