Interview with Jean-Michael Cousteau

An email from Piotr “General” Wytykowski arrived in our mailbox, and with it an attached interview with Jean-Micheal Cousteau, the first son of the famous Jaques Cousteau. The interview was conducted by the gentlemen of the “Wreck Expeditions” project, and what did they talk about with the explorer continuing his father’s work? See for yourselves!

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WW: Where did the idea to create the Ocean Futures Society come from?

JMC: It’s my own idea, to continue my father’s philosophies.

WW: What is the mission of the Ocean Futures Society?

JMC: To quote the OFS website:

To explore the world’s oceans, inspiring and educating its inhabitants to act responsibly to protect them. Document the relationship between humankind and nature, and celebrate the critical importance of the oceans in the survival of all life on our planet.

WW: What recent film have you made?

JMC: The last film I finished producing was “My Father, Captain; Jacques Yves Cousteau”. Already this spring, it was broadcast in France, and in Canada, on the eighth of October. Eventually it will also be available on DVD on the OFS website. But until that happens, plenty of information can be found in my book about my father, published by National Geographic. Here’s an excerpt:

The more I look back and look at my father, Jacques Cousteau, and his legacy, the more I realise how much he is part of our times and that if we listened to him more carefully the world might look different.

He was a pioneer who broke barriers with his inventions such as the ‘aqualung’ and underwater cameras, but he was also a visionary because he understood the consequences of the currents and trends he witnessed. He foresaw the risks associated with the development of nuclear energy, as well as the problem of radioactive waste. He also foresaw the devastating effects of over-fishing, over-exploitation of habitats and climate change, and he spoke consistently about the pressures that population growth would have on nature.

Jacques Cousteau, together with me and my brother, founded one of the first environmental organisations to communicate the problems we faced, He wrote the draft “Rights of Future Generations” for the United Nations, as concepts for sustainable and responsible management of raw materials. He continually harnessed his brilliant mind in the service of global solutions. .

He had another power – he could poetically present things that were incomprehensible so that they made sense, thus giving each of us a view of the world that allowed us to act. For example, on the desolate banks of the Amazon, when we had just released a rescued sea otter, Cacha’e, he turned to me, moved and filled with emotion, and said “Jean Michael, people protect what they love”. This maxim became for me the motto of my father’s work, and a symbol of the commitment we have to the world around us.

materials from oceanfutures.org

WW: Which film are you most satisfied with?

JMC: Of course with the next one, there are still many films I would like to make.

WW: Is there a place on Earth where you could dive endlessly?

JMC: Yes it is Papua New Guinea

WW: Would you say that you are the voice of the ocean? A mediator between the animals and their needs and humans who wantonly destroy the aquatic environment?

JMC:I am one of many. People understand that, the quality of our lives depends on the quality of the world in which we live, both us and animals and plants.

WW: Say a few words about Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort?

JMC: Fiji Islands Resort represents what all eco-resorts should strive for: It should be economically viable, while working to preserve and conserve the unique and diverse biotopes, as well as the culture, found at the sites. This is one of my favourite dive sites. “Grand central station” on Namena Island, is simply breathtaking.

materials from oceanfutures.org

WW: Is Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort visited by divers from Poland?

JMC: Of course Polish divers are always welcome, but because we don’t make bookings through OFS, so I don’t really know how many Polish divers visit Fiji.

WW: In addition to protecting the world’s water, you are also involved in forest protection tell us more about your collaboration with 41pounds.org

JMC: 41pounds.org support OFS. We get a portion of the profits from each person who signs up for their paper reduction program. For $41 (just $8.20 a year, 2 cents a day), the 41pounds.org service gets 80-95% fewer free flyers and newspapers into your mailbox for 5 years. Of that, $15 goes to us for OFS.

http://www.oceanfutures.org/news/press-releases/stop-your-junk-mail-and-save-environment

WW: Say something about the book National Marine Sanctuaries with Jean-Michel Cousteau.

JMC: This is the first book of four describing marine sanctuaries in the United States. I always wanted to write and publish a book that everyone, including schools, could afford. I would like every school located in one of these four regions to be able to use my books as guides to teach about the underwater treasures that are nearby, in hopes of inspiring future leaders to promote more aquatic conservation zones around the world.

Here is a description from the OFS website:

This book series takes readers on an expedition through four regions of the National Marine Sanctuary system. The combination of engaging text and fantastic photos and interesting anecdotes from behind the scenes OFS expeditions, creates an intelligent enquiry into the health of our oceans while introducing readers to a world of magnificent underwater treasures. The series is based on the award-winning limited series book “America’s Underwater Treasures” and the PBS film series “Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures”

WW: Have you ever been to Poland and would you accept an invitation to visit our country?

JMC: Yes, I have been to Poland and of course I would be happy to accept the invitation.

Thank you for the interview and see you in Poland.

Source: Wyprawy Wrakowe