Prince William and Sir David Attenborough warn of ocean damage
Their message comes as Sir David's latest documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough , premieres just in time for World Oceans Day.
The film exposes the hidden devastation wreaked beneath the waves, urging urgent action to protect this vital resource.
The 99-year-old natural historian shared his shock at the damage inflicted on the deep ocean floor.
'The destruction we have caused is unspeakably awful,' Sir David said. 'If anything like this happened on land, there would be an uproar.'
This damage is largely invisible to most people, hidden beneath the surface, which makes it all the more alarming, according to the BBC.
Prince William, a long-time environmental advocate and founder of the Earthshot Prize, expressed his fascination with the ocean's unexplored depths.
'There are places in the ocean that no human has ever seen,' he told Sir David.
The veteran broadcaster confirmed this, calling it 'wonderful' that modern technology allows us to explore these untouched realms.
William sees this as a thrilling opportunity for future generations to become explorers and protectors of the planet's last frontiers.
The documentary highlights destructive fishing methods like bottom trawling. Trawling ravages marine ecosystems and threaten the ocean's ability to absorb carbon, a key factor in combating climate change.
Sir David hopes the film will raise public awareness and inspire action before it's too late. 'If this film does anything, if it just shifts public awareness, it will be very, very important,' he said.
As the world prepares for the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, both men emphasise the need for global leaders to act decisively.
The conference aims to secure commitments to protect 30% of the world's oceans, a goal that has seen slow progress.
Prince William will speak at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, urging leaders to 'think big' and act with urgency and optimism.
Prince William's environmental docuseries Guardians , which highlights wildlife rangers' efforts worldwide,
Sir David's words echo a global plea: 'We must act before we destroy this great treasure.' This is a timely reminder that the ocean's fate is intertwined with ours. The time to protect our blue planet is now.
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