William hails ex-illegal fisherman as one of most committed guardians of nature
William appears in the introduction to the third episode of Guardians, his series of wildlife documentary shorts highlighting the conservation work of rangers across the globe.
Heir to the throne William is said to be passionate about restoring the health of the world's oceans.
Veteran broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, whose new film Ocean premiered last month, is William's inspiration for the six-part docuseries which he hopes will help nature's wardens be 'valued, respected, seen' and promote the 'wonderful' regions they protect.
In his filmed introduction, William describes how the Sea of Cortez – once called the world's aquarium — is under pressure from warming waters, vanishing species, and illegal fishing which has 'pushed this ecosystem to the brink'.
The eight-minute episode, released on Friday ahead of World Oceans Day on Sunday, features boat captain Jose Luis Cesena Calderon who spent more than 35 years diving at night as an illegal speargun fisherman before being invited to switch sides.
Since 2009, he has been part of the monitoring crew of the non-profit Citizen Observers Network (Red de Observadores Ciudadanos) known as ROC and made up of local residents working with the authorities to patrol the waters.
He takes part in dangerous night missions under cover of darkness to protect the marine environment in the Bay of La Paz.
William, who is travelling to Monaco this weekend to mark World Oceans Day at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, says: 'In this episode, we meet Jose – once an illegal fisherman – now one of the region's most committed guardians of nature.
'From La Paz, he leads a quiet revolution at sea, building trust, turning the tide, and showing how those who were once part of the problem can become the ocean's greatest protectors.'
The number of illegal boats in the area has dropped from 58 to around six, the film reveals.
Mr Cesena Calderon says: 'For me, being a guardian of the bay now, honestly, it makes me proud.
'Before, I was one of the people damaging the ecosystem. Now I really see the damage we were doing with the fishing methods we used.'
Meet the rangers of Spiti Valley.
Once viewed as a threat, the snow leopard is now recognised as a vital part of the local ecosystem.
Watch how nature's protectors are changing perceptions in Guardians, on @BBCEarth. https://t.co/GDr6GU5EjZ pic.twitter.com/xaOPuke7pp
— United for Wildlife (@united4wildlife) May 30, 2025
The Sea of Cortez is one of the earth's most biodiverse marine ecosystems and home to 900 species of fish including more than 70 of which are only found in that region.
Over the last few decades, overfishing and poaching has devastated marine life and severely damaged the seabed.
The Guardians series, created by The Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife programme, has had more than 5 million combined views of its episodes and social content since it was launched two weeks ago.
The films are available to watch on BBC Earth's YouTube and social channels, with episodes also be screened at Adventure Cinema locations across the UK.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Prince William urges world to help save seas as he joins Sir David Attenborough to discuss deteriorating oceans
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRINCE William will today urge the world to help save our seas — as he joins Sir David Attenborough to discuss deteriorating oceans. William is expected to call on everyone to 'think big in your actions' when he highlights the urgency of the situation in a landmark speech. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Sir David explains workings of underwater camera to Prince William Credit: Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington Palace 3 Wills laughs as Sir David tries on a helmet Credit: Silverback Films/ Open Planet Studios / Kensington Palace 3 William joined Sir David Attenborough to discuss deteriorating oceans Credit: Silverback Films/ Open Planet Studios / Kensington Palace In the address in Monaco at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, he will say: 'Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.' The father of three, 42, is there as founder of the Earthshot environmental prize which has 'Revive Our Oceans' as one of its themes. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'This speech is the Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. "The world is watching. This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.' William sits down with Sir David, 99, to celebrate the environmentalist's new film, Ocean, which is released on streaming platforms today, World Oceans Day. The Prince asks: 'David, from what you've seen over the years, what state would you say the oceans are in right now?' He replies: 'The awful thing is it's hidden from you and from me and from most people. 'The thing I'm appalled by when I first saw the shots taken for this film are what we have done to the deep ocean floor is just unspeakably awful. "If you did anything remotely like it on land everybody was up in arms. If this film . . . just shifts public awareness, it will be very, very important. "And I can only hope that people who see it will recognise that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.' Ocean with David Attenborough, official trailer Asked by the Prince if there are things deep down in the oceans 'we've never seen', he answers that it is 'beyond question'. They also discuss Sir David's decades of ocean exploration and the vital role the ocean has in supporting and sustaining life on Earth. Wills and Sir David also speak about the importance of remaining optimistic about ocean protection and the role younger people play. At the beginning of the film, Sir David has the Prince in stitches as he tries on a diving helmet used in filming 1990's The Trials of Life. They also inspect an underwater camera used in filming Ocean.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Prince William urges world to help save seas as he joins Sir David Attenborough to discuss deteriorating oceans
PRINCE William will today urge the world to help save our seas — as he joins Sir David Attenborough to discuss deteriorating oceans. William is expected to call on everyone to 'think big in your actions' when he highlights the urgency of the situation in a landmark speech. 3 3 In the address in Monaco at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, he will say: 'Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.' The father of three, 42, is there as founder of the Earthshot environmental prize which has 'Revive Our Oceans' as one of its themes. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'This speech is the Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. "The world is watching. This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.' William sits down with Sir David, 99, to celebrate the environmentalist's new film, Ocean, which is released on streaming platforms today, World Oceans Day. The Prince asks: 'David, from what you've seen over the years, what state would you say the oceans are in right now?' He replies: 'The awful thing is it's hidden from you and from me and from most people. 'The thing I'm appalled by when I first saw the shots taken for this film are what we have done to the deep ocean floor is just unspeakably awful. "If you did anything remotely like it on land everybody was up in arms. If this film . . . just shifts public awareness, it will be very, very important. "And I can only hope that people who see it will recognise that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.' Ocean with David Attenborough, official trailer Asked by the Prince if there are things deep down in the oceans 'we've never seen', he answers that it is 'beyond question'. They also discuss Sir David's decades of ocean exploration and the vital role the ocean has in supporting and sustaining life on Earth. Wills and Sir David also speak about the importance of remaining optimistic about ocean protection and the role younger people play. At the beginning of the film, Sir David has the Prince in stitches as he tries on a diving helmet used in filming 1990's The Trials of Life. They also inspect an underwater camera used in filming Ocean.
Sky News
8 hours ago
- Sky News
Prince William and Sir David Attenborough on 'unspeakably awful' deep ocean floor - as royal issues urgent call to action
The Prince of Wales will call on world leaders and the business community to "think big" and "with urgency" to address the potentially catastrophic damage being done to the world's oceans. Prince William's call to action comes as he teamed up with Sir David Attenborough in a social media video to talk about the harmful effects of over-fishing, pollution and temperature rise on our marine environment. On Sunday, the royal will travel to the south of France to deliver what's been described as a "landmark speech" at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco. He is expected to say: "Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. "Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance." The forum, organised by the government of Monaco, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, with support from France and Costa Rica, will bring together business leaders and government representatives committed to restoring the health of the oceans. The ocean covers 70% of the Earth's surface and is essential to all life on Earth. It generates half of the world's oxygen, regulates our climate and provides food for over three billion people worldwide. The event takes place ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, which will be held in Nice next week. William will speak alongside President Chaves Robles of Costa Rica, President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prince Albert II of Monaco. 'The world is watching' At a time when Prince William is increasingly being portrayed as a global statesman, we're told these will be deliberately strong words from him. A Kensington Palace spokesman added: "There should be no doubt that this speech is the Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. "The world is watching. This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later." The prince and Sir David To coincide with the event, and to attract a greater audience, a YouTube video has been posted by Kensington Palace, showing William and Sir David Attenborough laughing together as Sir David tries on his first-ever diving helmet. But their conversation soon turns to more serious matters when they discuss Sir David's new film, Oceans, and the horrific examples of damage uncovered. When William asks: "David, from what you've obviously seen over the years, what state would you say the oceans are in right now?" Sir David replies: "The awful thing is that it's hidden from you and from me and most people. "The thing which I am appalled by when I first saw the shots were taken for this film are what we have done to the deep ocean floor is just unspeakably awful. "I mean, if you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms. "If this film does anything, if it just shifts public awareness, it'll be very, very important, and I can only hope that people who see it will recognise that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure." A hopeful message But trying to end on a hopeful message, which is an important part of Prince William's approach to environmental issues, William asks: "Have you seen any stories where you feel that there is hope that we can turn this around?" Sir David says: "What is heartening, really, is that we have the entree to people's front rooms. "Whole families sitting at home in comfort can actually suddenly see this coming up. Films like this can expose something new and interesting." Finalists from Prince William's Earthshot Prize are also due to attend the forum in Monaco. The 2025 Earthshot Awards will be held in Brazil later this year.
