Michael Westreicher

Deep in the heart of Austria, Michael Westreicher, a dedicated diver and underwater videographer, has made it his mission to protect and preserve the underwater world. Since 2011, Michael has been diving in various environments, with a strong preference for cave diving. Alongside his team, he focuses on removing trash and lost fishing gear from Austrian lakes, significantly improving the clarity and quality of the water in these alpine lakes.

Collaborating with the "Österreichische Bundesforste" (the owner of the biggest lakes), Michael and his team, Ghost Diving Austria, continually expand their projects. They frequently join efforts with Adriatic and German chapters, as well as global missions, to clean up the underwater world.

Ghost Diving, a non-profit organization, addresses the issue of ghost nets—fishing nets lost or abandoned, which continue to trap and destroy marine life. As the coordinator of the Austrian chapter, Michael is passionate about marine conservation. Ghost Diving's international chapters work together to remove lost fishing gear and raise awareness about the devastation caused by ghost fishing gear.

A member of Global Underwater Explorers (GUE), Michael pursues education, training, and certification for divers at various levels, from recreational to technical diving. GUE emphasizes diving safety, conservation, and exploration, aligning perfectly with Michael's values. Holding the highest GUE education as a PSCR/Technical diver, he leads by example.

Michael captures the beauty of the underwater world through videography and editing. With experience in Cyberlink since 2013 and Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects since 2018, he skillfully shares his passion with others.

Inspired by videos from JP Bresser, Michael completed various GUE courses, including Fundamentals, Cave 1, Tech 1, Cave 2, and Tech 2. An advocate for the environment and an accomplished diver, he continues to make a significant impact on the underwater world.