0 Plastic Menorca Diving Expedition

0 Plastic Menorca Diving Expedition, an environmental expedition that raises awareness about the problem of “invisible” plastic pollution in the depths of the in the depths of the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Expedition to protect the seabed

The aim of the 0 Plastic Menorca Diving Expedition is to raise awareness among more people and give visibility to what the organising team calls “invisible plastic”, i.e. the plastic accumulated on the seabed that we do not see but which significantly affects biodiversity and the marine ecosystem.

The expedition kicks off the week after World Cleanup Day (17 September). From the 22nd to the 25th of September, a team of 30 volunteers from all over Spain took part in various events, having collected around 4000 microplastics, 220 kilos of plastic and rescued a drifting sea turtle from fishing nets (Protocol call 112). The expedition began with an art exhibition held at the Hotel Artiem Carlos with materials collected from the sea by artist and environmental activist Naroa Carvajal Prado; followed by boat trips to collect plastic from the seabed by scuba diving and snorkelling, and “Beach Talks”, awareness-raising talks given by environmental experts from OBSAM, Menorca Preservation, 0 Plastic Menorca, NESI, and others such as Dr. Albert Bellvert, who shared the impact of microplastics on health impact of microplastics on health and the benefits of scuba diving on mental health. mental health. In addition, they have participated in other educational activities such as a workshop on workshop on microplastics on the beach of Cavalleria, the screening of an environmental documentary, sports activities documentary, sports activities and all accompanied by gastronomy based on local products.

The expedition will promote the circularity and reuse of plastic and other waste found. waste found. Menorcan artist Jimmy Pons will use the oil biscuits found in the as a base to create works of art with the aim of raising environmental awareness, commemorating environmental awareness, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Petrolart project. Petrolart project. At the same time, the Menorcan company South will use all the bottle caps found for the bottle caps found for the manufacture of rings to support its “Eco, ocean, change” campaign. Eco, ocean, change” campaign.