China
My subject for China is Harry Chan, The Ghost Net Hunter
About China
The People's Republic of China is the second-largest country in the world by land area after Russia.
China has the longest combined land border in the world, measuring 22,117 km. China borders 14 nations and covers the bulk of East Asia, bordering Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar in Southeast Asia; India, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in South Asia; Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in Central Asia; and Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea in Inner Asia and Northeast Asia.
The six main categories of environmental problems for China are: air pollution, water problems, soil problems, habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and the impact of mega projects. The growing attention upon environmental matters has caused the Chinese government to display an increased level of concern towards environmental issues and the creation of sustainable growth.
About Harry
Harry has always been passionate about the ocean and has dived for decades. A few years ago he recognised that there was a problem in the ocean and has dedicated the last 10 years to action to improve the issue
Ghost nets are abandoned, lost or discarded fishing net, fishing lines and fishing traps. Every year 640 000 tonnes of ghost nets enter the ocean and according to different reports contributes 10-40% of all marine trash. They may drift for decades. They have a stark impact on wildlife trapping small fish which then may attract larger predators. Nets are often found entangled with masses of dead or dying marine wildlife including birds, sharks, whales and turtles
Harry has inspired a generation of new ghost net huters to join him diving or in shoreline clean ups to remove ghost nest and educate about this problem. He is approaching his 70th birthday and funds all his work out of his own savings. The work is hazardous and unglamourous but Harry is determined.
Watch the portrait's story below
This video shows the painting process, and tells some of Harry's story.
