Croatian diver delivers message to world leaders from seabed in 90kg diving suit and copper helmet

KRAPANJ, Croatia (17 October 2026) – Croatian marine conservationist Kristijan Curavić has delivered an underwater appeal to world leaders from the seabed near Krapanj, calling for stronger international cooperation to protect the oceans and ensure environmental commitments translate into measurable results.

Curavić, president of the Ocean Alliance Conservation Member (OACM) group, made the address while attempting to set a Guinness World Record for active underwater plastic removal using traditional heavy diving equipment.

The event on Krapanj, an island off the coast of Šibenik known for its historic sponge-diving tradition, combined a record attempt with a wider campaign calling for practical action against marine pollution.

Speaking through a traditional copper diving helmet supplied with air from the surface by a manually operated pump, Curavić urged governments, businesses and international institutions to support initiatives that deliver verifiable environmental improvements.

“Here, only actions count, and only they can bring change,” he said.

Call for international sea protection treaty

A central part of the address was a call for international cooperation around the proposed Ocean Heritage Act Sea Treaty, an initiative Curavić said OACM plans to present in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2027.

According to Curavić, OACM is in communication with 60 governments that it is inviting to participate in the initiative.

The proposed framework aims to connect public policy, business involvement and direct marine clean-up activities in a long-term approach to ocean conservation, with results that can be independently checked.

Curavić appealed to national leaders, company executives, the United Nations Secretary-General and international institutions to support programmes whose impact can be demonstrated through the physical removal of waste and the protection of marine environments.

He also addressed Pope Leo XIV, seeking support for the initiative and referring to the legacy of Pope Francis and his environmental message in Laudato si’, the encyclical on care for the planet.

Personal experience behind the campaign

During the address, Curavić linked his international appeal to his own experiences as a diver and marine conservationist.

He recalled surviving a near-drowning incident at the age of four and subsequently dedicating much of his life to diving, including work as a professional diver and instructor.

He said recovering dead sea turtles from the seabed had profoundly affected his understanding of marine pollution and strengthened his commitment to protecting the oceans.

Curavić argued that decisions taken today would shape the relationship future generations have with the marine environment.

“This is not just for the next generation. This is for all generations to come,” he said.

He also announced plans to continue delivering underwater addresses until 2030, reporting on participating countries, organisations and progress made towards the campaign’s objectives.

Krapanj at the centre of international campaign

The event was organised by OACM in cooperation with the World Tourism Network and forms part of the planned White Flag series, which is intended to combine underwater clean-up operations with attempts to establish world records.

Organisers plan to hold 20 clean-up actions and record attempts across several continents between 2026 and 2030. The events are intended to draw international attention to marine pollution and encourage greater participation in conservation efforts.

The Krapanj initiative also highlighted potential cooperation with Kalymnos, a Greek island with its own longstanding sponge-diving heritage, to help preserve shared maritime and cultural traditions.

Curavić thanked a number of international figures who he said had supported his work over the years, including Prince Albert II of Monaco, Britain’s King Charles III, King Abdullah II of Jordan and former Croatian president Stjepan Mesić. He also acknowledged former United Nations World Tourism Organization secretary-general Dr Taleb Rifai and businessman Bernie Ecclestone, among others.

The event concluded with Curavić saying he would return to removing plastic from the waters around his island.

The final duration of the dive and the quantity of waste collected are due to be announced following confirmation by the organisers. Any Guinness World Records recognition remains subject to official verification.