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Blue Planet 2 team pick up every piece of litter they come across in the ocean

The BBC nature series is keen to encourage viewers to research and support ocean conservation, in any way they can

Clarisse Loughrey
Monday 13 November 2017 09:49 EST
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Beware the Bobbit - Blue Planet exhibits an absolutely savage carnivorous seaworm

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Blue Planet II has wowed viewers with some of the most beautiful, intriguing, and occasionally terrifying glimpses into the depths of the ocean.

There was the vicious Bobbit worm, around a metre-long; a predator who hides beneath the sand, quietly stalking fish until coming close enough to devour them. The discovery of the deepest living fish, an "ethereal snail fish" that can withstand the "equivalent pressure of 50 jumbo jets stacked on top of one another."

Then, there was the incredible Asian Sheepshead Wrasse - based off the coast of Northern Japan - seen on camera changing gender. Or the look into the huge hydrothermal vents which scatter the ocean floor, which many scientists believe were where life was first created.

Through spectacular visuals and Sir David Attenborough's calm, measured narration, Blue Planet II has become a priceless tool for ocean conservation - both in its ability to inspire, and to educate.

Of course, there are questions to be asked about the environmental impact the very making of these documentaries leave behind, despite what incredible advantages they may bring with them. One thing BBC Earth's Twitter account wanted to point out was the fact the Blue Planet II team would collect every piece of plastic they came across while filming.

"Wherever the team saw plastic floating they would collect it up, sometimes it was first filmed then collected out the ocean," the Twitter account added.

The team hope their actions will inspire others to help prevent pollution in our oceans and shores, including a campaign called #2MinuteBeachClean, which asks volunteers to help pick up litter in their local area. You can find out more information about ocean conservation here.

Blue Planet II airs Sundays on BBC One.

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