Arena and Olympic Champion Gregorio Paltrinieri Join Forces with Healthy Seas for Ghost Net Cleanup in Sicily
Arena and Olympic Champion Gregorio Paltrinieri Join Forces with Healthy Seas for Ghost Net Cleanup in Sicily
We’re thrilled to announce the success of our recent ghost net cleanup in Sicily, where Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri joined Arena and Healthy Seas for a two-day mission to protect the ocean! This mission took place near Syracuse, bringing together passionate divers, the skilled team at Capo Murro Diving Center, and Olympic Champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, who led the way with his dedication to marine conservation.
Mission Focus: The Nevada Shipwreck
The focal point of this mission was the Nevada shipwreck, a popular dive site near Avola in the province of Syracuse. The Nevada, an Italian merchant ship, tragically sank in January 1979 and now rests upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of 55 meters. Known locally as the “Ship of Salei,” this unique wreck carried tons of marine salt from the salt pans of Trapani, adding to its historical and cultural significance. Today, it serves as both a popular dive site and a shelter for diverse marine life—though unfortunately, it has also become entangled in hazardous ghost nets over the years.
Gregorio Paltrinieri: Champion for Ocean Preservation
Gregorio Paltrinieri’s commitment to ocean conservation runs deep. As the founder of Dominate the Water, an initiative that blends competitive swimming with environmental advocacy, he’s demonstrated that athletes can be powerful advocates for sustainability. Together with Arena, a brand that shares his passion for cleaner seas, Gregorio exemplifies how sports and ocean conservation can go hand-in-hand. Arena’s support of Dominate the Water and Healthy Seas underscores their dedication to sustainable practices, making them an ideal partner in this mission to protect the ocean.
The Cleanup Effort: Removing Dangerous Ghost Nets
Our team worked diligently over two challenging dives at depths between 40-50 meters to carefully remove ghost nets from the Nevada wreck. The cleanup revealed several pieces of netting totaling around 20 square meters, along with a massive 300-meter fishing net—an entanglement that posed a severe risk to the marine life inhabiting the wreck. The removal of these harmful materials not only made the site safer for local species but also helped preserve the historical integrity of this remarkable underwater landmark.
Teamwork and Dedication in Action
Setting off from Marina di Ognina, everyone involved in the cleanup worked tirelessly to achieve a lasting impact, sharing a growing sense of purpose and camaraderie throughout the mission. Efforts like these highlight the power of collective action when it comes to protecting the planet.
Next Mission: Heading to Los Angeles
Looking ahead, we’re excited to bring our mission to the West Coast near Los Angeles this November, where we’ll be joined by Olympic swimmer Drew Kibler for another impactful cleanup effort.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in this mission—our dedicated partners at Arena Planet Water, the incredible Gregorio Paltrinieri, and the divers at Capo Murro Diving Center. Together, we’re making the seas healthier, one mission at a time.
