In late April, Psi Scott, a Scottish-Thai marine conservationist, along with 36 volunteers set a new record for Southeast Asia in a swimming relay of over 70km, crossing the Andaman Sea to raise awareness about marine conservation and plastic waste reduction. Psi also became the youngest swimmer to establish a new open sea swimming record for Asia -- 50km in two days without equipment.
Organised by NGO Sea You Strong, this long-distance swimming adventure took place across the Andaman from Krabi to Phangnga and Phuket. It was titled "Sea You Strong: Stop Abusing The Sea". Unlike other events of this kind, it was not held to solicit donations. "Sea You Strong" was organised by Psi to raise awareness about marine conservation and encourage others to help clean and collect trash on beaches, cliffs and bodies of water.
"I am really proud of 'Sea You Strong: Stop Abusing The Sea' because there are not many conservation events in Thailand which get attention, especially those led by conservationists. This was the first event that combined my favourite sport, swimming, and involved people I know and representatives of state agencies. All participants helped to open the door to a new conservation approach in our country," said Psi.
Psi led 36 volunteers in a relay of over 70km across the Andaman Sea.
The 26-year-old has been involved in marine projects for many years. Last year, he was recognised for his lead role in a short film, Merman: Ocean Pollution, which presents the life of a merman who was threatened by plastic and marine pollution. Psi decided to organise a long-distance swim across the Andaman Sea, from Krabi to Phangnga to Phuket, because he collected garbage and worked with people in these three provinces and felt a connection.
Psi actually started collecting trash at Sam Roi Yot Beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan. When he visited Hat Yao Beach in Krabi, he approached 12 schools and asked teachers to allow their students to join him in collecting trash along 3km of the beach.
The students enthusiastically spent time from 10am to 4pm collecting garbage with him. From 20 participants initially in the first trash collecting event at Sam Roi Yot Beach, his third garbage activity in Krabi had an impressive 200 participants. He and divers collected garbage and discarded fishing nets tangled between the cliffs.
Volunteer swimmers at 'Sea You Strong: Stop Abusing The Sea'.
"I have worked in these three provinces and learned a lot about conservation. I worked with people who were not conservationists, but they were concerned about the environment. In Krabi, I learned that fishery has negative effects on corals. People who have ocean-related businesses are concerned about the marine environment. If there is garbage in the sea and corals are dying, tourists will not visit," said Psi.
"Thirty-six volunteers and I swam from Phangnga to Phuket where there are growing industries and factories that have ineffective wastewater management. The wastewater contributes to the occurrence of algal blooms and the presence of green water. Wastewater contains less oxygen, making it difficult for fish and marine creatures to survive.
"Phuket is different from Krabi and Phangnga. It is an industrial city which prioritises financial gain over nature conservation. Swimming across the Andaman Sea was an eye-opening experience that helped me to learn more about problems in the sea."
Psi has been swimming in the ocean for three years, but "Sea You Strong: Stop Abusing The Sea" was his first experience leading swimmers and volunteers. He said that leading people was the most exciting part of the project.
Sea You Strong volunteers collect garbage and fishing nets.
"When there was a storm, I had to ask kayakers to guard us on the left, right and in front, so that no swimmers would get lost. To support the team, I had to maintain my confidence and appear calm while swimming past fire jellyfish and also during storms," said Psi.
The founder of Sea You Strong felt honoured to swim with 36 volunteers. The volunteers consisted of people of various ages and physical conditions, including an 11-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy, a 71-year-old and a man with one leg.
Some people criticise that collecting trash does not provide an environmental solution because it only addresses the end result. However, Psi disagrees with the criticism. Since Sea You Strong focuses on collecting rubbish on beaches, cliffs and bodies of water, he believes that this approach helps people realise that they should take responsibility for marine pollution.
"It is everyone's right to live in a clean and environmentally safe world. If we do not speak out to demand our rights, other people will never realise the importance of it."
Sea You Strong volunteers collect garbage and fishing nets.
While Psi and volunteers have tried to make the world a better place, some people do not appreciate the activities of Sea You Strong.
"There are people who build their businesses by gleaning benefits from nature but are not concerned with the preservation of resources," Psi said.
"When I talk to them about my work, they are defensive and criticise my effort as nonsense that would not generate income. Perhaps they spend most of their vacations abroad and do not see the conditions of beaches in Thailand. That's why I want to restore the balance of nature for the equality of all. People with low income who rely on nature for their livelihood usually experience the effects of environmental issues more than wealthy people."
In the future, Psi plans to establish Sea You Strong as a foundation. This will facilitate smoother collaboration between the group, schools and other organisations.
Sea You Strong volunteers collect garbage and fishing nets.
Thailand will soon have a new government. As a marine conservationist, what would Psi want to request from the new ministers?
"I would like to see a policy that regulates the fishing industry and the management of wastewater from factories. If anyone violates the law, there should be effective punishment. Living in a clean natural environment is everyone's right and this right should be protected," he said.
And what can other people do to preserve the marine environment?
"Every problem related to the ocean is caused by items produced for our convenience. It is materialism that drives the production of these convenient items. I would encourage people to reflect on where their everyday items come from and where they end up after use. Personally, I choose not to use anything that has negative effects on the ocean," concluded Psi.
