Ocean paradise, 2018

Once she’d be surrounded by fish in the clear azure waters off Indonesia. Instead a diver is suspended in a sea of plastic debris...

SURROUNDED by plastic debris, this diver sees the threat posed to the oceans by our throw- away culture.

Instead of experiencing the waters’ natural wonders, she is confronted by a shoal of plastic bags.

It has been predicted that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. And if this picture is anything to go by, that chilling reality may come sooner.

It was taken by Jukka Saarikorpi while filming rays at Manta Point off Indonesia with his scuba- diving fiancee, Aissa Paronen. He said the area is home to more than 100 manta rays that are suffering because of the waste, which they may eat by accident.

The Finnish photographer wants to make others aware of the importance of recycling – a subject also highlighted by the Mail with its campaign to Turn the Tide on Plastic.

Mr Saarikorpi, 39, said: ‘There is a tornado of plastic rubbish and manta rays swimming towards it. Trash is coming with currents into this location, which is the same location mantas use to clean themselves. The manta population in this area is big – there are over 100 mantas.’

Describing the sight as ‘sad’, he added: ‘I have never seen so much trash in one spot, and also that this spot is actually a manta cleaning station is disturbing. Mantas are planktoneaters so if they get plastic in their system, it will stay there and cause issues.

‘I wanted to share the images in order to bring awareness of recycling and the need for a proper waste management system in these areas.’ More than 80,000 people have viewed his photos on Facebook, while some have even used them in school projects.

Mr Saarikorpi said: ‘As a photographer I am entitled to shoot something that is disturbing and highlight it for other people in order to drive change for the better. There are several good groups and dive centres helping the locals in teaching about recycling and using less plastic.

‘Many people are doing cleanups and helping already, but this is a global issue and everyone can make a difference.’