Underwater art promotes sustainability

A British artist and underwater naturalist is promoting his vision of a sustainable future through a series of underwater art installations in Mexico’s Caribbean Sea.

Jason de Caires Taylor plans to submerge 400 life-sized casts of people in the ocean, off the resort of Cancun, by the end of the year.

The sculptures are made out of anti-corrosive materials, which over time he hopes will transform into artificial reefs – attracting marine life to the national marine park.

Mr de Caires also hopes to attract human life to the reefs, providing substitute dive spots for the 800,000 tourists and enthusiasts alike, who visit Cancun’s marine park each year.

"The park managers were looking for an alternative to manage the tourists. The idea was to concentrate everyone in one place," he told Reuters.

Much of the area's natural coral reefs have been damaged from adverse weather, pollution and global warming.

Mr de Caires says he wants to promote the idea of humans being a positive influence on nature, if a sustainable approach is adopted.

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