“I see a completely different world in the sea”: Kazakh diver’s video mesmerizes the Internet

Tengrinews.kz — A diver from Aktau filmed an underwater dance of thousands of fish, revealing the rare beauty of the Caspian Sea’s depths. The striking footage of marine life impressed viewers and quickly spread online.

Thirty-eight-year-old Kanat Abdiyev captured a huge school of fish during another dive. According to him, the video shows juvenile Caspian sprat moving in unison and creating an impressive underwater spectacle.

The diver said capturing such a moment was a rare stroke of luck.

“The underwater world is a realm of silence and beauty. Beneath every wave lies an extraordinary life that we may not even know exists. I filmed this video near Blue Bay, 70 kilometers from Aktau, at a depth of nine meters. Before every dive, I always check the weather. Sometimes I have to wait several days for calm conditions. And encountering a school of fish like this is, of course, pure luck,” Kanat told a Tengrinews.kz correspondent.

He moved to Aktau from the village of Saiotes in Mangystau region in 2017 and became interested in diving five years ago.

“At first, I practiced winter swimming for my health, and then I discovered the underwater world of the Caspian Sea. But alongside the beauty of the sea, I also saw rubbish on the seabed: plastic and glass bottles, bags and car tires — everything that the wind and waves carry from the shore into the depths. I began collecting this waste during my dives. To me, the sea is not merely a beautiful place but an entire world that needs careful treatment and protection. I realized that through my passion, I could benefit people, the environment and living creatures,” the environmental activist said.

In August last year, he swam 1.3 kilometers underwater while collecting rubbish from the seabed. According to him, over the course of the year, he managed to bring about 1.5 tonnes of household waste ashore from the Caspian Sea.

Until recently, Kanat combined his love of the sea with his job as a facilities manager at a private school in Aktau. However, he recently resigned and decided to focus on what he loves.

“I now devote all my time to diving and my travel agency. I want to develop ecotourism. When I dive into the sea, I see a completely different world. It fascinates me, and I want others to see this beauty too,” the diver said.

Kanat now mainly practices freediving, descending without scuba equipment while holding his breath. According to him, he can hold his breath for two minutes. Underwater, it is important to control your breathing, remain calm and develop a sense of depth. Proper preparation is also essential. However, full equipment is required for more serious and longer dives.

According to Kanat, such equipment costs around 1.5 million tenge. His current wetsuit is one of the cheapest models and already lets water in, while he has never owned his own scuba tank.

“I contacted sponsors, but no one has responded so far. Of course, with a scuba tank, I could remain underwater for up to two hours and show people even more of the sea’s beauty — and not only that. I am interested in studying the sea and its inhabitants more deeply and understanding why our seals die in large numbers every year,” Kanat said.

The Kazakh diver says he wants not only to share beautiful footage of the underwater Caspian Sea but also to draw attention to the region’s environmental problems, reminding people that nature’s beauty must not only be seen but also preserved.