I love the ocean and I love beaches – obvi. I am reminded everyday of the reasons why and this is primarily because I don’t live near one. I live in a city and every time I am stuck in traffic or watch people fight over a shopping cart, I think – “I need to get out of here for just a little bit” and being in a warm ocean is where I want to be. It is that same distance from the ocean though that keeps us humans in the dark from what we are doing to it. Admittedly, when I do daydream about being at the beach, like most people, I think of only the great things about it – white sands, blue waters and the beautiful underwater life that is part of that ecosystem. Rafa Herrero’s piece, Octubre, is a reminder of what we are turning the ocean into. If all the trash being dumped into the ocean doesn’t stop, my daydream – along with other ocean lover’s daydreams will only be just that – a dream.

About Octubre:

In October, after the holidays, trade winds whirl about rivers of rubbish where turtles close in searching for food, but only to find a slow death in these deadly traps.

A new species strongly settles down in the ocean: plastic.

An ephemeral shelter for a few, but a sad end for the majority.

About Rafa:

Director of Aquawork. I live in Canary Islands. My productions are underwater documentaries, mainly. Work with a Panasonic HVX201E within a Gates housing.

Turtle Caught in Plastic - Scene from Octubre - by Rafa Herrera