The Healthy Seas initiative together with Ghost Fishingjust departed from the small island of Lipari in Italy, together with over 5 tons of ghost nets which they removed during their 6-day World Oceans Day mission. They did however leave something back: Awareness. The event was co-organised by the Aeolian Islands Preservation Fundand Blue Marine Foundation.
Lipari is home to 12,819 inhabitants so when the team docked there last Monday in their matching navy-blue t-shirts and orange diving dry suits, it triggered memories of last October, when they removed over 4 tons of ghost nets from the seabed. Pascal van Erp, founder of Ghost Fishing: “We celebrated World Oceans Day by implementing our biggest project to date. Volunteer divers from 3 Ghost Fishing country chapters plus several local divers took part in 5deep-sea and 6harbour cleanup dives.”
What was collected during these days was mostly long-lines and gill nets, all very light in weight but a major threat to marine life as they appear invisible underwater, trapping and killing marine life. Divers rescued several species from the ghost nets, including starfish, sea urchins, rock crabs, sea cucumbers and juvenile fish. Lost fishing gear is a real problem in the Aeolian Islands and this project was an opportunity to raise awareness on the issue, actively involving the local community, divers, fishermen, children and authorities
An education programme involving over 130 local children from Lipari but also Vulcano, a nearby island in the Aeolian Archipelago, took part during the week at the harbour.
This mission marked a turning point for Healthy Seas with the ItalianCoast Guarddeployed in Lipari(Guardia Costiera Lipari) supporting it underwater and on the surface.
Ambra Messina, Executive Director, AIPF: “The local stakeholders are happy to be part of this initiative and year by year they realize how important its mission is. The municipality of Malfa is providing suitable storage space for collecting the old nets which will ultimately be sent for regeneration. Fishermen will be able to dispose their nets there, doing their part towards a circular economy.”
The collected fishing nets will be cleaned by Nofir A.S.and sent to Aquafil. Combined with other nylon waste materials, they will be transformed into ECONYL® regenerated nylon, the infinitely recyclable material. This will provide the basis for beautiful new products such as socks, sportswear, swimwear and carpets. Healthy Seasis an environmental initiative that provides an excellent example for the circular economy, where waste is a resource.
Funding for this World Oceans Day event in the Aeolian Islands was provided by Maratona Dles Dolomites-Enel(July 7th, 2019), one of the biggest cyclosportives in Europe now in its 33rdyear. This year’s marathon is dedicated to “Tomorrow” to remind us that we need to find a better balance between the present and future by establishing a renewed relationship with nature.
Photos available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sh7ox8sqvwtxj4g/AADFtYrGYA8jp4ba9Fqb7ygea?dl=0