At Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA), our strength comes from volunteers who step forward with skill, heart, and perseverance to keep our oceans clean. This month, we’re excited to recognize Juan Chacin—a devoted crew member whose commitment to safeguarding marine life shines through every effort he makes. Juan’s steady support and genuine passion for the sea make him an invaluable part of the ODA team.
Allow us to introduce Juan through a few reflections from ODA’s Founder and President, Kurt Lieber:
There are just a few people we come across in our lives where we know within minutes that this person is special. Juan Chacin is one of those people. Always has a smile on his face and wants to help wherever and whenever he can.
ODA has been fortunate to have Juan direct his positive energies towards the oceans. He’s fun to be around, but he takes these underwater cleanups to heart. I’ve seen him gingerly remove fishing line from delicate coral heads. Never pulling so hard that the coral could break. He’s does all this while maintaining proper buoyancy to make sure his fins don’t accidentally knock into something.
Turns out that isn’t his only skill, he’s also an excellent baker. He’s brought pastries on our dives that would make a pastry chef coo with delight.
The world’s oceans are lucky to have Juan onboard, and so are our tastebuds!
Dear Friend, after you read our Q&A interview with Juan, be sure to watch his video interview and look at the photo gallery below!
Q: What drew your attention to the ocean and when?
A: I have always been drawn to the ocean since I was very small. One of my uncles was a merchant marine and my family made trips to the beach all the time. Playing in the water with my family are some of my most treasured memories.
Editor's note: Clearly, Juan still has a playful heart. His humor is infectious. See him and fellow ghost-net remover Marjorie as the goof off after a big haul. Click to see large:
Q: What are your favorite ODA expeditions?
A: My favorite expeditions with ODA are the ones we do at sites that are really overrun with trash. Two that come to mind are a site called "Deep Step" which has more abandoned fishing line than we can haul out in 10 trips. And the other is at Kailua Bay where we pulled over 70 abandoned tires that accumulated from years of people discarding them at that particular spot. Editor’s note: Did you know that automobile tires have over 200 chemicals that leach out of them?
Q: Any funny stories to share from an ODA cleanup?
A: Just this last weekend we did a cleanup at a site called "South Point." The entry into the ocean involves climbing down about 20 feet of sharp, steep, ragged lava cliff in full scuba gear. I was quite apprehensive about that, so I told Jeff Milisen that the ocean was too rough (it wasn't), that maybe I saw orcas near shore (there weren't), that the forecast called for a squall in 60 minutes (it didn't). After considerable laughter, prodding, and reassurances from Jeff, off we all went. The entry was totally fine.
Q: Why do you like volunteering with ODA?
A: It is easy to assume that the ocean is so vast that nothing we do can affect it, for better or for worse. But that is so far from the truth. We can easily deplete and pollute the ocean. And, in general, there are no government organizations that clean trash once it has entered the ocean. That job falls to NGOs like ODA. I value the chance to do a small part to clean it.
Q: Aside from diving with ODA, where else do you like to dive and why?
A: I have visited several absolutely wonderful dive destinations. To this day however, the Galapagos islands remain my favorite. And that is in no small part because it is a highly protected environment so one can see how incredibly bountiful the ocean can be if we let it.
Enjoy Juan’s recorded interview
Juan’s dedication, good humor, and genuine care for the ocean remind us that protecting marine life is both vital and deeply rewarding. His steady presence on cleanups—and even his lighthearted spirit and generosity on land—show how one person’s energy can ripple outward in lasting ways.
We hope Juan’s story inspires you to take action from wherever you are, whether by lending your time, raising awareness, or making a donation that fuels ODA’s ongoing cleanups. Together, we can keep the seas vibrant for generations to come.
Volunteer or donate to defend the oceans with Juan!
Have fun browsing through Juan’s photo gallery:
