“I felt relieved knowing I could set them free.”
Every year, numerous marine animals suffer due to pollution—whether from ingesting plastics that have found their way into the sea or becoming ensnared in improperly discarded fishing gear.
As an eco-activist and influencer known as @trashcaulin, Caulin has dedicated himself to clearing ocean debris along the beaches near his home in Florida. “Growing up, I witnessed people expressing their love for these beaches and enjoying time with their families, only to leave litter behind before returning home,” Caulin recounted to The Dodo. “I felt compelled to raise awareness about the health of our beaches, and thus began my cleanup mission!”
However, Caulin’s efforts to clean up have a direct impact beyond just saving animals’ lives indirectly.
During a recent beach cleanup, Caulin stumbled upon a box washed up in the surf, which he identified as a lost crab trap. Curiosity piqued, he inspected the box more closely.
His decision to investigate proved fortuitous, as he discovered seven live animals trapped inside.
“Seeing that the crabs were still alive filled me with relief, knowing I could set them free,” Caulin recounted. “I immediately shifted my focus to safely releasing each crab.”
Thanks to Caulin’s intervention, the crabs, who would have likely perished from starvation without being able to escape, were granted a second chance at life.
Caulin doesn’t often find himself directly encountering the marine animals benefiting from his cleanup endeavors. However, it underscores the significance of considering the broader impact, where individual animals are indeed being rescued.
Just ask those fortunate crabs.
“I truly hope they’re all thriving and enjoying their newfound freedom,” Caulin expressed. “Having been able to offer those crabs a second lease on life feels incredibly fulfilling.”