Aegean Rebreath in Corfu again to clean up Old Port seabed
CORFU. Review of their collaboration with Central Corfu Municipality over the last three years.
There will be another sea clean-up on the weekend of October 21-22, from 9 in the morning until 5 in the evening, at Corfu Old Port, mainly in the area where the fishermen's boats are located. This is a continuation of the collaboration between Aegean Rebreath and the Municipality of Central Corfu, with whom they have also signed a memorandum of cooperation.
The weekend clean-up will also include a training aspect - a large team of volunteers will be participating with the support of Nova and the assistance of Central Corfu Municipality and the Ionian Islands Regional Authority with the provision of rubbish collection equipment.
The head of the organisation Aegean Rebreath, Giorgos Sarelakos, is in Corfu, and gave a press conference at the San Giacomo Old Town Hall along with Mayor Meropi Ydraiou and Deputy Mayor Panayiota Tzanne.
Waste Collection Stations
During the interview, Meropi Ydraiou provided an overview of similar projects that have been undertaken to date, as well as the activities of the "Blue Municipalities Network," of which the Central Municipality is a founding member.
Meropi Ydraiou recalled that the first clean-up took place in May 2020 when the 1st Marine Waste Collection Station was established in the Garitsa-Anemomylos bay. In early 2021, the Municipality signed a memorandum of cooperation with Aegean Rebreath.
In April 2021, in collaboration with the municipalities hosting marine waste collection stations, the "Blue Municipalities Network" was established, the first national network of municipalities focusing on the protection of the marine environment, under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
In May 2021, a similar clean-up took place, and the 2nd Marine Waste Collection Station was established in Paleokastritsa.
Meropi Ydraiou pointed out that this is an innovative initiative of the Municipality and encouraged its continuation by the new municipal authority, as it provides only benefits for the island and the environment.
45,,000 recyclable materials
Giorgos Sarelakos said that Aegean Rebreath has managed to remove 45,000 recyclable materials from Greek waters through its actions to date, aiming to promote a new culture related to reducing consumption and recycling or repurposing marine waste within the principles of the circular economy. The goal is to widely recognise the importance of protecting our seas for ecosystems, the economy and our society.
Corsica joins network
He stated that the ongoing collaboration with the Municipality is a significant legacy. "The Central Municipality of Corfu was among the first municipalities to encourage the establishment of the Blue Municipalities Network, a network that is now recognized on a pan-European level as a best practice," he said. "It is not a coincidence that we recently gave a presentation about the network at a Commission meeting. The added value has also been recognised by European municipalities. We are already in discussions to make Corsica a member of the network. It is the first network in Europe with a legal entity where European municipalities join forces.
"It is not by chance that many companies, central administrations, research activities in collaboration with ELKETHE, pilot programmes and financial actions at the regional level are rallying around this network. These three years have seen significant developments, and we hope to continue with the new municipal authority with the appropriate objectives."
CHRISTINA GEREKOU
