Diver Sean McGahern this morning dived into a tank at the Malta National Aquarium and only intends to surface after eight days.

The 41-year-old is attempting to set the Guinness Word Record for the longest dive in a controlled environment. The present such record stands at eight days and 19 minutes. 

Species inside the tank include black tip sharks, reef sharks, zebra sharks, horn sharks, cownosed rays and honeycomb rays.

Through this quest, also known as a ‘finathon’, Mr McGahern hopes to raise awareness about the problem of over-fishing of sharks in the Mediterranean.

To pass the time, Mr McGahern said he would be trying to befriend the different species housed in the aquarium, mainly the sharks and sting rays.

On Saturday, Mr McGahern ate his last solid meal, in preparation for the dive this week, as once he is underwater, he will be on a strict liquid diet.

Mr McGahern and Sharklab Malta, an NGO with the aim of raising awareness about sharks, have been working on this challenge for weeks, making sure that he had the proper equipment needed to make this dive a success.

“When you’re underwater for a long time, your skin could start to peel off so we had to make sure I had special dry gloves to prevent that from happening,” he said.

To change the tanks, a specifically-designed harness would have to be used, which would make it possible for Mr McGahern’s tanks to be changed without halting the dive.

While eager to set the world record, Mr McGahern said he also hoped that through this gruelling challenge he would help collect donations which will go towards protecting sharks and sting rays.

Those visiting the Malta National Aquarium will be able to see Mr McGahern through the viewing windows at the walk-in tunnel.