My Journey from Rock Bottom to Unwavering Determination

My name is Boulebaba Souissi, born October 16, 1988, on the island of Kerkennah, where the sea has always whispered endless stories to me.

I left school in ninth grade to follow my family’s heritage as a free-diving sponge fisherman.

For years, each dive felt like flying—until 2015, when I watched our marine environment collapse and the sponges vanish. Crippled by loss, I sank into isolation and depression for over two years.

In April 2018, a sudden inner voice urged me to fight rather than flee. I reached out to experts, joined environmental groups, and trained in safety and awareness.

By 2019, I had founded Snorkeling Kerkennah, a venture that survived even the COVID-19 crisis. Today, it’s more than a business—it’s a mission.

I lead free-diving tours, teach traditional fishing, and run children’s workshops to share my love for the sea and protect its future.