Having logged more than 1000km ocean training over the last 12 months without the comfort of a wetsuit, Coetzee’s swim in the Predator Exhibit is to highlight one of The Aquarium’s major campaigns - creating awareness around plastic pollution of the world’s oceans.

“When I’m swimming in the ocean I’m not only exposed to the biting cold and choppy waters, but aware of the plastic debris floating by me, which has serious negative effects on the environment and the animals who occupy it. If unchecked plastic pollution will have disastrous effects on the world’s oceans,” says Coetzee, one of the Two Oceans Aquarium ambassadors.

It is estimated that there is currently one ton of plastic for every five tons of fish in the world’s oceans with almost eight million tons of plastic added annually.

As a swimmer and conservationist, in his future swims, Coetzee will be dedicating his efforts as part of a broader ocean plastic-pollution awareness campaign with the Two Oceans Aquarium.

“Ocean warriors such as Coetzee experience the reality of the state of our oceans daily and instinctively want to protect what they love - this beautiful blue underwater world. Justin’s extreme swimming has taken him to all corners of the earth and he has seen, felt and experienced this planet of oceans. He knows we need to save the oceans to also save ourselves,” says curator at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, Maryke Musson.

With an ability to withstand sub-zero temperatures and to swim kilometers in frigid seas, Coetzee is a member of the exclusive global club of extreme cold water swimmers and has been invited to participate in the First Russian Ice Swimming Championship in Siberia from Friday, 8 to Sunday, 10 April.

During his prospective Russian swim, Coetzee will be accompanied by world-renowned French photographer, Stéphane Gautronneau, who is donating his time to support ocean plastic pollution awareness through Coetzee’s global swimming events.

For more information visit www.aquarium.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of Stéphane Gautronneau