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A local fisherman has gone plastic-free to help protect the ocean after noticing the amount of waste in the water increase during his regular dives.
Toby Greatbatch, a Jersey fisherman with 11 years’ experience, launched sustainable business ‘Greatcatch Seafood’ this year.
He sells locally sourced lobsters, sea bass, crabs and hand-caught scallops, all in plastic-free packaging.
Pictured: Toby has made the pledge of selling local shellfish without any plastic packaging.
While this type of packaging is more expensive and more difficult to find than the plastic version, Toby is determined to keep his product plastic free.
His decision is motivated by the amount of plastics he regularly finds on the seabed. Toby started diving three years ago and the activity has made him realise the extent of the plastic pollution in local waters.
“The amount [of litter I find] has definitely increased,” Toby said. “I have been diving for three years and I realised there is actually a lot more down there than I thought.
“The majority of it comes from the land and from fishermen as well. We do lose some pots and stuff sometimes so it’s good to be able to recover it. Diving made me much more aware of how much there is and I just want to spread the awareness.”
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Among the litter Toby has collected from the seabed were drinking bottles, shoes, sunglasses and even speakers.
All of the packaging Toby now uses is made from plants. Scallops, for example, are kept in paper tubs lined with plant oil, while platters are made from sugar cane and boxes out of cardboard and plants.
“Jersey is a small island, we do not have to use as much plastic as we do, especially for local produce. It just seems silly!” Toby said.
“Jersey could be a really good example.”
Pictured: Toby has been fishing for 11 years. (Matt Porteous)
In addition to organising clean-up dives, Toby has also partnered with the Blue Marine Foundation and Ocean Culture Life, a global community that aims to bring together positive ocean storytellers to collaborate on important projects, to help protect the ocean.
His recently launched website also enables people to donate to Healing Waves, a local charity that helps individuals with physical, neurological and mental health challenges access the ocean in a safe way.
Pictured: Toby picks up scallops and litter on the sea bed.
“I just wanted to give back to the ocean,” Toby said. “Before I started diving, pollution was not even in my mind but now I'm much more conscious.”
While Toby admits his first day as a fisherman was “really rough” - so rough, that he considered quitting - he hopes his new company will do well. He also hopes it will help raise awareness among islanders and convince them to ditch plastic, especially for Christmas.
Pictured top: Toby Greatbatch captured on camera by Matt Porteous.
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