Once again, we established our house reef at perhaps the best position in the diving area and tended to it diligently for nine days. A major draw was our plastic tower: plastic waste collected from beaches and rivers worldwide – traces of synthetic civilisation that cannot be ignored.
In 2026, we were once again visited by many prominent figures – for example (clockwise), "Doc" Florian Huber (the "Indy" of underwater archaeology), Martin "Splity" Splitt (host of the Deko-Zeit podcast), Hannes Jaenicke (actor, environmental activist, and founder of the Pelorus Jack Foundation, who was awarded the Dive Award Climate 2026), Angela Ziltener (Dolphin Watch Alliance), Claudia and Hendrik Schmitt (documentary filmmakers known as "The Jetlagged"), Tim Noack (Mantahari), and Katharina Koch (Aqua Active Agency, who presented us with a funding check for €2,000 – thank you once again!)
In presentations at the diving tower and the Water Pixel World, we reported on our international school programme (Mozambique and Indonesia), provided an outlook on our research into tiger sharks in the Maldives, and offered expert advice on diving with sharks – always in front of a large and interested audience.
Above all, we assembled an inspiring team for all nine days – highly diverse and talented individuals from all sectors of society and from across Germany, who came to Düsseldorf on a voluntary basis at their own expense using their annual leave. The atmosphere at the ElasmOcean house reef was consistently highly professional, motivated, and dedicated – and, despite the demanding days, characterised above all by a great deal of humour and enjoyment.
It was immensely rewarding!
We look forward to seeing you all again – at the latest at "boot" 2027, then in Hall 13!
More protection through knowledge.
