Project Ohrid 2025: Protecting the Depths of Lake Ohrid
Collaboration in Action
Healthy Seas, in collaboration with the PSI Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid, carried out Project Ohrid 2025, a joint cleanup and awareness mission to help protect one of Europe’s oldest and most biodiverse lakes. The fieldwork was supported by volunteer technical divers from Ghost Diving Adriatic and local partners from Diving Center Amfora.
This year’s initiative builds on the success of the 2023 pilot project, when Healthy Seas and its partners carried out the first-ever cleanup mission at Lake Ohrid. That milestone effort marked the beginning of a collaboration aimed at tackling ghost nets and protecting the lake’s unique ecosystem. Project Ohrid 2025 continued this mission, strengthening partnerships, expanding cleanup efforts, and deepening awareness about the environmental threats facing this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From 6–8 October 2025, the international team worked together to locate and recover abandoned fishing nets, which pose a serious threat to aquatic life and the lake’s delicate ecosystem. Despite challenging weather and surface conditions, the mission was completed successfully, removing numerous ghost nets and contributing to the clean-up and safety of underwater habitats.
Collaboration in Action
Project Ohrid 2025 demonstrated the strength of cross-border collaboration between scientists, divers, and local communities. The cleanup operations were closely coordinated with the PSI Hydrobiological Institute, ensuring that cleanu-up activities supported ongoing research and conservation priorities, including next year’s artificial spawning efforts.
Beyond the fieldwork, education and community engagement played a central role in the mission. We visited the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality in Ohrid, where students and professors attended an interactive session about the issue of ghost nets, their environmental impact, and how circular solutions can help prevent marine litter.
The presentation highlighted Healthy Seas’ mission to clean the seas and reuse recovered fishing gear, turning waste into new resources while fostering environmental awareness. The event inspired lively discussion and motivated students to take part in future actions to protect Lake Ohrid’s unique ecosystem.
A Shared Commitment to Clean Waters
Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to an extraordinary number of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Each ghost net removed from its depths represents a meaningful step toward protecting this environment.
The project also attracted significant media attention, with coverage from national and local TV stations and several online news platforms, helping raise public awareness about the hidden dangers of ghost nets and the importance of prevention.
Healthy Seas is proud to stand alongside its partners and volunteers to make missions like Project Ohrid 2025 possible, uniting research, education, and action for a cleaner, healthier planet.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Hyundai Europe, our valued partner, whose support made this project possible.
