Last month, I started a new art project called “Beach Trash Diffusion: Trash Photos.” My focus is on finding pieces of plastic pollution washed ashore. I attach the weathered plastic to the camera flash and use it as a diffuser to create impactful photographs.
It’s an exciting project that will further raise awareness of plastic pollution issues on our beautiful beaches here in Okinawa.
This beautiful blue hermit crab was found adapting with a Victoria’s Secret beauty supply cap. During the survey, we found three hermit crabs adapting with plastic. All three crabs made the switch into donated seashells.
Check out this reel below. Please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? If so, consider giving them back to nature.
Click on the donation link below to help fund Shawn’s conservation projects.
Meet Fragile Francis, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic cap.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Fragile Francis made the switch into the donated seashell ” MTS4N 393 To Eat Flowers ”
I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!
I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 106 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.
Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Thank you Hannah Reyes for your support and carving suggestion, Check out her stunning photography on Instagram.
Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project
Meet Zerocare, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Zerocare made the switch into the donated seashell ” Zerocare MTS4N 282 ”
I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!
I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.
Would you like to give back to nature? Please support our Hermit Crab Conservation Project. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography
Thank youZEROCAREfor your support, You are making a difference by providing sustainable options and Protecting Our Oceans. Keep up the Great work!
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project
Please consider making a small donation to support the mission
Meet Mustard, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded marker cap.
A friend called to inform me she found a hermit crab ( mustard ) adapting with plastic. I grabbed some empty shells, the #mts4n bucket and drove down to a local beach in Yomitan village. We placed Mustard into the bucket and within fifteen minutes he made the switch.
Mustard made the switch into donated shell ” MTS4N #412 It will get better ” which is part of the positive carving series.
I photographed the hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab-Happy Home!
I keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells.
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.
Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project.
Meet Brittle Bob, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Brittle Bob made the switch into the donated seashell ” So Shire MTS4N 434 ”
I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!
I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Collection )
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.
Interview with Kelly Meyer – Hermit Crab Conservation Project, Okinawa
Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography
Thank youSo Shirefor your support, You are doing great providing sustainable options and Protecting Our Oceans. Keep up the Great work!
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!
Meet Green Tea, A large Blueberry hermit crab found adapting with single-use plastic.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Green tea made the switch into the donated seashell ” No More Plastic Caps ” MTS4N #383.
After I photograph the hermit crab within its new home, I release it back into the wild and keep the plastic cap. Happy crab – Happy Home!
In August I reached out to my friend Martin Bailey and asked him if he wanted to be part of the project: Trading plastic for shells. He agreed and I carved ” No more Plastic caps ” on an MTS4N shell for him.
Martin asked me if I would join him on his podcast to discuss the project. Trading plastic for shells. It was great catching up with him!
If you would like to listen to podcast 753, view some amazing nature photography, or take a nature tour in Mainland Japan check out his website. Martin Bailey Photography
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.
If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!
Wouldn’t you rather see hermit crabs adapting with seashells instead of plastic?
Carving 4 nature is an extension project I have been working on since 2020, combining “Crabs with Beach Trash Homes” and “Trading Plastic 4 Nature.” I offer hermit crabs native seashells instead of plastic. The shells are carefully engraved and numbered using a DREMEL tool. Hopefully labeling the shells will prevent collectors, beachcombers, and or fishermen from taking them in the future.
July 15th, I will post a video clip of the hermit crab making the switch from plastic to seashell (#mts4n). I will also pick up eleven pieces of waste off the shoreline for every new Conservationist tier member at MakeTheSwitch4Nature
If you would like to have a family member’s initials engraved on a shell, or a meaningful word engraved, or make a contribution to support my mission please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem.
We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature
Mission: Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations. If you would like to help support my mission, click here – MakeTheSwitch4Nature
How many times have you picked up an empty seashell and brought it home? Most people don’t realize that they are taking a potential mobile home. As hermit crabs grow larger they have to upgrade their mobile home. They are constantly searching for larger seashells. No shells, then the hermits will adapt with plastic twist tops, plugs, and even broken bottles. Over collecting seashells is a contributing factor.
” Trading Plastic for Shells ” Every hermit crab found adapting with trash receives a proper seashell home. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. So far I have a nice collection of plastic.
Trading plastic for shells collection
In 2020, Tony Choi ( hermit crab specialist ) recommended that I place empty seashells on the shorelines. He explained that Taiwan has the same issue with over-collecting. Tony sent me the first shell donation and after that more people starting making kind contributions. I engraved numbers on all the shells. Hopefully, this will prevent beachcombers and fishermen from taking the shells.
Trading plastic for shells
Below is a large land hermit crab ( Coenobita cavipes ) I found using a plastic PVC 90-degree elbow as a protective home. Yomitan Village, Okinawa.
How do I get the crabs to swap? I bring a bucket with an assortment of native shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch on their own. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. #Maketheswitch4nature
The land hermit crab made the switch into a donated tapestry shell (Miller #23). Hermit crabs do not prefer plastic, they are just adapting to what is available.
If you would like to see video footage of the hermit crabs making the switch from plastic to seashell check out MakeTheSwitch4Nature
” Trading plastic for shells ” Before and after examples
Blue Thumbnail
Miller #45
Trumpet player
Miller #51
Jump rope
mts4n #29
Marshmallow
Miller #27
This post is not to make people sad, guilty, or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines. Hopefully, these images will inspire people to change.
My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations
Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bringing solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.
One of my favorite things to do is to go beachcombing after typhoons. Over the years, I have seen a significant increase in the amount of marine debris washed ashore. The trash is from all over the world, but the majority of it washes up from Korea, China, and Japan
The resourceful hermit crabs take full advantage of plastic tubes and twist top caps. They move into this valuable real estate and use it as a protective mobile home until they find a better option.
Hermit Crabs prefer to live in a natural seashell. Due to a decline in the number of seashells, the hermit crabs have to adapt with our trash to survive. Below are photographs of hermit crabs found naturally adapting with the plastic tubing.
Lucky was the first hermit crab I photographed adapting with plastic tubing. (2014)
The long plastic tubing slows down their movement. Not the ideal mobile home for a hermit crab.
Sometimes I find them living in clear plastic. Over time the plastic turns yellow and becomes brittle. Eventually, it will break up into microplastic.
Every hermit crab found adapting with our waste receives a new home (seashell). I bring a bucket with an assortment of shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch. They get a better home and I keep the plastic.
Make the switch for nature
I was surprised to find this small blueberry hermit crab using a jump rope handle as a mobile home. The crab switched into a tapestry turban shell (mts4n #29) immediately.
The hermit crab is one of the few animals that can successfully adapt with our waste. If you would like to learn more about hermit crabs adapting with our waste please check out my post on “Crabs With Beach Trash Homes” by Shawn M Miller.
This post is not to make people sad, guilty, or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines. Hopefully, these images will inspire people to change.
Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bringing solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.
The bottle cap challenge is a viral trend started by martial artist Farabi Davletchin. He was the first person to perform a precision spin kick and twist off the cap of the bottle using his foot. In 2017, I started a my own bottle cap challenge. The goal was to see how many twist top caps I could collect in fifteen minutes. Its an exciting challenge and I recommend getting others involved. Make it a friendly competition and document your beach trash finds using the Clean Swell app by Ocean Conservancy.
Over the years, I have seen a significant increase in the amount of marine debris washed ashore. The trash is from all over the world, but majority of it washes up from Korea, China and Japan
Next time your at the beach, take a minute and look around at the amout of single use waste on the beach. How do you feel when you see this waste?
Majority of the plastic bottles/caps that wash ashore become brittle and break down into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces (micro plastics) are harder to find and clean up.
Eventually these smaller pieces make it back into the ocean affecting the wildlife. Marine birds often mistaken and eat this plastic because it looks and smells like their natural diet (ex: fish eggs, crabs and small fish).
Even the marine fish will sometimes eat the plastic, they are attracted by the smell as well.
Hermit crabs are one of the few animals that can successfully adapt with our waste. They eventually move into this valuable real estate (plastic caps) and use it as a protective mobile home until they find a better option. Below are photographs of hermit crabs found naturally adapting with plastic twist caps.
This popular hermit crab was featured in honor of World Oceans Day 2019 on Stella McCartney’s website. Thank you all for bringing awareness to the plastic pollution problem.
If you would like to learn more about hermit crabs adapting with our waste please check out my post on “Crabs With Beach Trash Homes” by Shawn M Miller.
My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations. – If you would like to join my journey, check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.
