UNDERWATER & BEACH CLEANUP

https://allforblue.org/keep-aegean-blue/

Marine Conservation in Greece: Success Stories in Beach and Underwater Cleanup

Greece, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and extensive coastline, is facing significant environmental challenges, particularly from marine litter and microplastics. Numerous organizations in the country have risen to address this problem, undertaking impactful projects that involve cleaning beaches and underwater habitats while engaging local communities. Here’s a detailed look at their efforts, with specific examples of work done across cities and towns in Greece.

Keep Aegean Blue: Educating and Cleaning Coastal Areas

The Keep Aegean Blue initiative, led by the non-profit organization All For Blue, combines education with action. This campaign is not just about cleanup; it aims to inspire long-term behavioral change through conservation seminars and workshops.

Key Actions in Greece:

Underwater Cleanup in Mykonos: Divers from All For Blue retrieved car tires, fishing nets, and other debris from the seabed near popular beaches, helping preserve the island’s vibrant marine ecosystem.
Educational Programs in Santorini: The team conducted workshops in local schools to teach children about the dangers of plastic pollution and marine life conservation. Afterward, students participated in beach cleanups, collecting hundreds of kilograms of waste.
Beach Cleanup in Naxos: All For Blue organized a large-scale cleanup of Agios Prokopios beach, where volunteers removed plastic bottles, cigarette butts, and fishing gear washed ashore.

Enaleia: Turning Fishermen into Ocean Guardians

Enaleia has created a groundbreaking model by engaging Greek fishermen in cleaning the sea. Through their Mediterranean Clean Up project, they train and incentivize fishermen to bring back the plastic waste caught in their nets instead of discarding it back into the ocean.

Key Actions in Greece:

Port of Piraeus: Fishermen here, Greece’s largest port, collected and returned tons of marine litter, including plastic bags and fishing nets. The waste was sent to recycling centers, where it was transformed into new products like clothing and furniture.
Islands of the Cyclades: Enaleia expanded its initiative to smaller islands, including Tinos and Paros, where fishermen collected waste and documented its impact on local marine life, bringing attention to microplastic infiltration into the food chain.
Partnership with Local Governments in Crete: In collaboration with local authorities, Enaleia introduced educational seminars to fishermen in Heraklion. The participants later removed nearly 15 tons of plastic waste during the peak fishing season.

HELMEPA: A Legacy of Marine Protection

The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) has been a pioneer in Greece’s marine conservation efforts since 1982. By blending environmental education with active cleanup programs, HELMEPA has played a vital role in instilling environmental awareness in both adults and children.

Key Actions in Greece:

Marathon Beach Cleanup: HELMEPA volunteers, including local students and corporate employees, collected over 1,000 kilograms of waste from the Marathon Bay coastline. Items ranged from beverage cans to fishing gear, demonstrating the variety of litter that plagues Greek shores.
Thessaloniki Awareness Campaign: HELMEPA conducted a public awareness campaign in Thessaloniki, featuring an exhibition about the impact of marine litter on local wildlife and communities.
HELMEPA Junior Program in Athens Schools: By engaging schoolchildren in cleanup activities along the Athens Riviera, HELMEPA has encouraged younger generations to adopt eco-friendly habits.

Collaborative Efforts and Impact

The combined efforts of these organizations have had a transformative effect on Greece’s coastal areas and marine habitats. Their work extends to urban centers, remote islands, and fishing communities, highlighting the need for both local and global partnerships in addressing marine pollution.

Notable Results Across Greece:

In Rhodes, a joint effort by Keep Aegean Blue and local volunteers removed abandoned fishing nets, which had entangled marine life.
In Kefalonia, Enaleia’s fishermen helped clean waters around the port, where plastic debris had accumulated due to increased tourism.
On Corfu, HELMEPA collaborated with tourism organizations to conduct workshops and cleanups, removing over 5 tons of waste during peak tourist seasons.

Looking Forward: Sustaining the Momentum

While these organizations have achieved remarkable progress, marine pollution remains a pressing issue in Greece. The innovative approaches of All For Blue, Enaleia, and HELMEPA set an example of how community engagement, education, and economic incentives can lead to sustainable environmental change.

By continuing these efforts and expanding them to new regions, Greece can protect its invaluable marine ecosystems for generations to come, ensuring that its seas remain a source of life and beauty.