Together, We Dive and Rise to Clean Our Seas and Save Marine Life

Above and Under Water

Clean-ups

Our clean-up initiatives extend beyond the depths, encompassing coastal areas where we engage the public and frequently collaborate with schools. In 2023 alone, our dedicated team of 550 Ghost Diving volunteer divers contributed a total of

257 diving days, conducting both survey dives and active clean-ups. Together with Ghost Diving, we continue to tackle marine litter and remove ghost fishing gear, embodying our dedication to preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.

The Problems we are Facing

Ghost Nets Continue to Fish

Ghost nets remain in the seas for hundreds of years

and continue to catch and kill marine life, needlessly contributing to biodiversity loss and the overexploitation of fish populations.

Marine Litter Becomes Microplastics

The nets left on the bottom of the sea for a long time start degrading

and they break into pieces that eventually can become microplastics.

Marine Litter is Costly

Marine debris is estimated to cost the international community

more than 60 billion euros in clean-ups, repairs, and losses. The problems are connected to entanglement of boats, of other nets, pollution on beaches, and a loss of tourism.

Where We Operate

On the Sea Bottom

Estimates suggest that a vast majority of marine litter resides underwater, out of sight and often forgotten.

Fishing gear frequently becomes entangled on the bottom of the seas and oceans, either during fishing activities or due to ocean currents.

Recovering these nets is a complex and demanding task that requires skilled technical divers, often involving multiple dives and coordinated teams.

Partnering with the volunteer divers of Ghost Diving, we conduct global clean-up projects to remove ghost nets and abandoned fishing gear all over the world.

On Land

We organize clean-ups in coastal areas, beaches, lakes, and riverbanks.

These activities are crucial for raising awareness that all litter can ultimately reach the ocean. Land-based clean-ups help reduce marine litter and inspire us to reflect on how our daily actions and the care we take of our surroundings impact the seas and oceans.

We have organized clean-ups around the world, ranging from rivers and parks to beaches and even a UNESCO-protected lake.

These efforts not only tackle local litter but also highlight the global interconnectedness of our waterways.

On Shipwrecks

Shipwrecks function as artificial reefs and are areas of rich biodiversity

Fishing gear frequently becomes entangled in the remnants of shipwrecks due to fishing activities or ocean currents. These wrecks, rich in marine life, serve as vital habitats for numerous species.

In collaboration with Ghost Diving, we have led global cleanups on notable wrecks, including U.S. submarines and World War II shipwrecks in the Mediterranean and Baltic seas.

By removing ghost nets and abandoned gear, we prevent further deterioration of these sites, helping marine life thrive and uncovering the stories hidden within.

At Abandoned Fish Farms

Impacting Coastal Areas and Ecosystems

Abandoned fish farms heavily pollute coastal areas as their deteriorating structures release plastics, polystyrene, and fishing nets into the sea. This debris contaminates beaches, harms marine life, and poses risks to both local communities and tourists.

The Healthy Seas Foundation has led large-scale clean-ups in Greece, with global volunteers working both on the surface and underwater. These efforts have successfully revitalized many sites, demonstrating that targeted action can restore health to affected areas.

Ghost Farms Problem

"Our underwater clean-up efforts are powered by the brave volunteer divers of Ghost Diving. These dedicated individuals donate their time and expertise to remove marine litter from the depths of our oceans, from historical shipwrecks to abandoned fish farms".

Veronika Mikos, Director of the Healthy Seas Foundation

Visit Ghost Diving

Contact our clean-up team!

Are you aware of ghost nets or an abandoned fish farm that needs our attention? Contact our clean-up team to discuss how we can assist in restoring the area. Complete the form below to get started.