Divers Set World Record For Cleaning Trash From Ocean Floor
June 17, 2019
More than 600 scuba divers set a new world record by scooping up trash from the ocean floor on Saturday.
Photo credit: Mike Stocker / Sun-Sentinel.com
633 divers picked up litter from the sea floor near the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier in Florida.
The record was overseen by Guinness officiator Michael Empric, who flew from New York to do the official head count.
Divers had to stay in the water for at least 15 minutes to count towards the record.
It is still not known exactly how much trash was collected, the Sun Sentinel reports. But diver and environmentalist RJ Harper reported that divers collected 1,600 pounds of lead fishing weights alone.
"Obviously, trash was collected, but the beauty of it is with 633 divers, we were able to do a very thorough cleaning," Harper told the news outlet.
The previous record for the most divers taking part in an underwater cleanup was 614, in a dive organized in the Red Sea in Egypt in 2015.
"It doesn't matter what happens today with the Guinness World Records," said Empric. "What really matters is that everyone is out there cleaning up around the pier and trying to improve the community."
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Zoo Visitor Captures Incredible Moment An Elephant Saves A Gazelle From Drowning
She Meant Every Word Of 'In Sickness And In Health'
The Grade That Saved A Life: A Professor's Unforgettable Act Of Kindness
Soaked, Scared, And Alone - Baby Raccoon Melts Hearts After Rescue
Hummingbirds Are Nesting On String Lights - And People Are Sharing The Cutest Photos
Parents Secretly Build Disney-Themed Backyard While Kids Sleep
Golden Retriever Pushes Owner Into Water Causing Hilarious Chaos
Man Claims He Can Speak Chicken - And Then Proves It
Emu Has An Absolute Blast Playing Chase With Dogs
Kid's Freestyle Dance To Live Jazz Is Pure Joy — And Viewers Can't Get Enough
Only 2 Students Show Up For Class Hike, But Their Professor Makes It A Day They'll Never Forget
