Photo by Renee Capozzola

Tell us about how Ocean Defenders Alliance came to be and the amazing work you do.

In 1999, I was diving off Anacapa Island in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary of California, when I came across an abandoned lobster trap. There were several animals entrapped in it, and they were going to die in there if I didn’t do something about it. I opened the trap, grabbed the lobsters, and set them free. Other divers saw what I did and when we got back on the boat everyone was talking about it. At that moment, I realized I should do something about all the abandoned traps I was seeing on my dives up and down the coast.

I was volunteering with a marine conservation organization at the time and so I asked if they would donate a boat that would motor me and my dive buddies out to sea where we could remove these traps.

I did receive the boat, and in 2002 registered Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) as an official 501(c)(3) organization.

What do you wish more people knew about protecting our oceans and marine life?

Diving in California is a unique experience. Even with a huge human population, very few people get the chance to explore the underwater world. This is a shame because the coastal areas are like nowhere else on the planet. We have kelp beds that are habitat for over 1,000 different species of mammals, fish, and invertebrates. If you want to experience what it’s like to spend time with whales, dolphins, seals, octopuses, and hundreds of different kinds of fish, California is the place!

Unfortunately, in my lifetime I’ve seen a drastic change in the underwater world. Ninety percent of the kelp is gone. And with that depletion, most of the animals are gone, too. ODA’s volunteers are doing what we can to help the coastal waters rebound by removing abandoned traps, trap line, nets, fishing lines, tires, and other man-made debris.

What’s a typical ocean cleanup event look like for ODA? What should a new volunteer expect?

ODA conducts a variety of debris removal activities both at-sea and onshore.

Our underwater cleanups require scuba divers with advanced skills who enter the water either from a boat, a pier, the beach, or within a boat harbor. The divers always need assistance from additional (non-diving) volunteers to help retrieve and organize the debris. In the harbors, snorkelers can help as well.

We also perform a variety of cleanups onshore where our land crews remove plastic and other rubbish before it can make its way into the ocean. Land-based cleanups include beaches, inland waterways, and wetlands. For example, in Southern California, we’ve adopted two channels and we have monthly cleanups at a vast wildlife refuge.

Most of our events start around 8 or 9 am and last for three to four hours. People should be prepared to get a lot of sun and get dirty as well. Removing trash is a dirty business…but very rewarding!

What new and exciting things are happening at ODA?

We just got approved by the Orange County Public Works Project (in California) to remove debris from a channel that’s inundated with trash from the inland area. This is the last stop before the rains come down and flush it all into the oceans where, at that point, it’s pretty much impossible to retrieve.

We’re also looking to procure new small vessels for both California and the Big Island of Hawai’i. Having boats we can haul with a truck and trailer, will allow us to respond quickly to reports of debris and work with smaller crews. We’re excited about all the new sites we’ll be able to hit with our more nimble boats and crew!

What’s the most surprising or unusual item you’ve found during an ocean cleanup?

It’s hard to pick the most surprising, but some of the odd items we’ve found include computers, carpets, and thousands of golf balls. We’ve found everything, including the kitchen sink (for real)! But the most disturbing to me is the 1,000-plus toxic tires we’ve found–and then removed–throughout Hawaiian waters.

Jason Momoa’s new signature scent collaboration with Humble Brands supports Ocean Defenders Alliance. How has this partnership made an impact?

ODA is seriously humbled (can I say that?!) to be able to partner with Jason and Humble Brands. This partnership has already enabled us to perform cleanups in four places: the coast of California and three Hawaiian islands (Maui, Oahu, and the Island of Hawai’i). We’re thankful for the opportunity to do more of this good work together and spread the word to many more people about the plight of the oceans!

How can people support ODA?

Fueling and maintaining boats is not an inexpensive endeavor so we appreciate your financial support. If you're interested, you can make a donation here. That said, our organization is powered mainly by volunteers, so if you’d like to roll up your sleeves and help us remove debris, please get in touch. Either way, we’d love to partner with you for clean oceans!

Support Ocean Defenders Alliance and their vital work with the purchase of Plastic-free, Aluminum-free Rockrose & Cedar Deodorant, a Humble Brands collaboration with Jason Momoa.