South African diver reveals the hidden lives of sea creatures

The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, at Africa's southernmost point, are so icy they feel like they’re burning your skin. Yet, Craig Foster dives in every day without a wetsuit or scuba gear, exploring the mysterious world beneath the surface.

Some may call him daring – Craig Foster, a filmmaker by trade, has previously dived with Nile crocodiles in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and swum alongside great white sharks. For the last eight years, though, he has focused on a vast underwater kelp forest off South Africa’s west coast, where he spends his days observing sea creatures.

Foster has now co-authored a book with fellow diver Ross Frylinck, chronicling his intimate encounters with these wild animals.

The book, 'Sea Change: Primal Joy and the Art of Underwater Tracking,' tells the story of how he gently touched a cat shark’s 'nose,' as it rested calmly in his hands, 'tame as a puppy.' It also recounts a thrilling moment when a massive stingray wrapped its wings around him for several heart-stopping seconds, and how a Cape clawless otter reached out to brush his face.

His most unforgettable experience, however, was with an octopus he formed a bond with and followed on its hunts.

Foster’s octopus even made an appearance on the BBC’s 'Blue Planet II' documentary last year, showcasing an incredible camouflage technique where it collects shells and stones to form an impromptu armored shell to protect itself from smaller predators.

This is just one of the many extraordinary behaviors Foster has observed during his dives. He has also discovered seven new species, including a shrimp named in his honor: Heteromysis Fosteri.

The dangers lurking in the deep

Naturally, Foster isn’t intimidated by the larger predators that roam the sea forest.

“It’s certainly unsettling if you don’t expect to come face-to-face with a great white shark in murky water,” he told Dinogo. “But honestly, the animals aren’t the real threat. There’s very little to fear from them.”

Despite the risks, Foster has repeatedly put his life on the line in the ocean.

“I’ve been close to death many times, but never due to a shark,” he said. “The real danger comes from being tossed by a massive wave onto sharp rocks, getting sliced open, or being trapped in an underwater cave.”

He is far more concerned about the numerous threats facing the kelp forest: plastic and chemical pollution, overfishing, poaching, ocean mining, and the impacts of climate change.

Foster aims to raise awareness about what he calls the “great African sea forest,” a vast ecosystem stretching from Cape Town up to Namibia.

This particular kelp forest stretches 1,000 kilometers long and just 100 meters wide. It's one of the world’s most productive ecosystems, offering food, shelter, and an ideal habitat for species like the endangered abalone sea snail, the Cape fur seal, and several types of sharks.

Foster believes that if he can inspire others to view this sea forest as one of the world’s natural wonders, akin to the Great Barrier Reef, it will spark greater conservation efforts.

The need to protect underwater ecosystems

However, Foster also emphasized the importance of establishing more marine protected areas to safeguard South Africa’s coastal waters.

Just last month, South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs approved the creation of 20 new marine protected areas, covering a combined 50,000 square kilometers. This expansion means 5% of the nation’s oceans are now protected, up from just 0.4% previously.

“We are now aiming for 10%,” said Foster. “Marine protected areas are absolutely essential, and ideally, we should aim for 50% of our oceans to be protected.”

He argues that it should be in everyone’s best interest to 'honor our bond with the wild.'

“Our African ancestors thrived here for hundreds of thousands of years, leaving behind an ecosystem that remains largely untouched,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to preserve this for future generations.”