Diver films himself swimming in sea filled with plastic rubbish

Bali's plastic pollution problem has been escalating for some time.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

It's no secret that our oceans have a problem with pollution from plastic waste, with currents spreading it far and wide.

You can see it first hand in a video shot by diver Rich Horner, who swam off Manta Point in Nusa Penida, Indonesia on Saturday, surrounded by plastic trash.

"The ocean currents brought us in a lovely gift of a slick of jellyfish, plankton, leaves, branches, fronds, sticks, etc.... Oh, and some plastic," he wrote on Facebook. "Some plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic cups ... plastic, plastic, so much plastic!"

Horner reported the next day that the plastic rubbish had disappeared, carried away by the currents and set to broken down into damaging microplastics.

Mashable Image
Sand covered garbage from the sea at Kedonganan Beach, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: Muhammad Fauzy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Plastic pollution has been an increasing problem for Indonesia. The country is the second-largest marine polluter after China, prompting Indonesia's government to commit US$1 billion a year to reduce its marine waste 70 percent by 2025.

The problem is particularly pressing around Bali, where the effects on its tourism industry, sea life, and health are an ever-present threat.

[h/t ABC News]

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
The One Piece TCG The Azure Sea’s Seven Booster Box is $25 off at Amazon
The One Piece TCG: The Azure Sea's Seven Booster Box on a red and orange background

This DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo Drone films in 4K and it’s 20% off this weekend
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo Drone

Best eco-friendly deals at Amazon's spring sale: Low-waste kitchen, bathroom, and spring cleaning swaps
Suri electric toothbrushes, Cleancult dish soap carton, LifeStraw stainless steel water bottle, and Blueland laundry pods arranged on blue, purple, and green backdrop

Everything we know about Chris Pratt's 'Way of the Warrior Kid'
Chris Pratt and Jude Hill in "Way of the Warrior Kid."

'Rooster' review: Steve Carell finds himself in feel-good college comedy
Steve Carell in "Rooster."

More in Science
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!