You wouldn’t believe what they brought up from Ipsos seabed!

(Central Corfu Municipality) The two-day initiative of Aegean Rebreath, in collaboration with the Central Corfu Municipality, has been successfully completed.

The initiative was part of the Blue Municipalities Network and included a series of clean-up, awareness, and educational activities, with the participation of institutions and volunteers.

Activities began on the morning of Friday, October 3rd, with educational workshops in two of the Municipality’s schools — the 4th Experimental Primary School “Athenagoreio” and the 4th High School, with the support of SwimTrek.

The workshops focused on marine pollution, prevention, and the circular economy, aiming to inform and engage young people.

In the afternoon on the same day, the anti-pollution equipment station for lubricants and fuels, donated by ELIN, was inaugurated at the Marine Waste Collection Station in Garitsa Bay, at Anemomylos.

The event was attended by the Deputy Mayor for Circular Economy and Cleaning Services, Pantelis Yiannoulis, the President of Aegean Rebreath, Giorgos Sarelákos, representatives of ELIN, the Coast Guard, as well as professional and amateur fishermen.

At the conclusion of the activity, the fishermen received kits with essential materials for immediate response in case of a spill. The new equipment includes all necessary tools for rapid response to pollution incidents caused by fuels or lubricants, available to both the Coast Guard and the fishing community.

On Friday evening, an open consultation was held in the Municipal Hall at Faliraki, with the participation of representatives from the Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce, marine professionals, environmental volunteers, and members of the public. The meeting presented Aegean Rebreath’s activities on the island, discussed the Municipality’s needs and challenges, and explored possible solutions and proposals for developing a strategic action plan for the marine environment, aiming to design pilot programmes and initiatives for the island.

On Saturday, October 4th, a coastal and underwater clean-up took place at Ipsos harbour, along with research activities using innovative technologies, carried out by volunteers from Aegean Rebreath and SwimTrek. A large number of fishing equipment, tyres, carpets, tarpaulins, nets, batteries, and other materials were recovered from the seabed.

The recovered waste remained on display until Sunday, October 5th, serving as a visible reminder of the importance of protecting our seas.

At the Marine Waste Collection Station, only recyclable materials — aluminium, plastic, glass, and nets — are accepted. Members of the public wishing to dispose of nets are encouraged to contact the Cleaning Service to be informed about the appropriate location and time for drop-off. Fishing nets are recyclable materials and should not be discarded in mixed-waste bins.