Healthy Seas

Exploring the leftovers of a ghost farm under the sea is pretty haunting. Seeing those abandoned nets and equipment really shows how the ocean is being affected in ways we don't usually see. Ghost Farms not only pose a threat to marine ecosystems and communities but also contribute to the problem of plastic pollution.   Fishing nets, made of plastics, stay for up to 500 years, continuing their harmful impact long after being abandoned.   Next to the nets, several other materials are used in the structure for fish farms at sea, and many tools are left abandoned to decay. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, Healthy Seas is proud of Operation Ghost Farms – Reclaiming Waters. Learn more about Operation Ghost Farms: https://lnkd.in/dFdgkisp Operation Ghost Farms would not be possible without the support of Hyundai Motor Europe Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible: Ghost Diving ; We Dive We Clean; Diopas S.A. ; Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece ; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece; OZON NGO. Together, for a change. Photos by: Cor Kuyvenhoven ___________ #HealthySeas #Hyundai #CleanUp #MarineConservation #WesternGreece #SaveOurOceans #OperationGhostFarms #CleanSeas #Greece

What an extraordinary two-day mission! 🙌 We’re thrilled to announce the successful completion of our second ghost net cleanup mission with arena and #Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri near #Syracuse, Sicily 🇮🇹. After the exciting launch of the Healthy Seas x arena last month at Kreidesee in Hemmoor, Germany—supported by Florian Wellbrock - we were honored to have the invaluable help of Gregorio Paltrinieri for this mission. Setting off from Marina di Ognina, we cleaned along #CapoNegro, Gulf of Noto, where ghost nets were tangled around the Nevada #Shipwreck , which sank in 1979. With Gregorio’s support, our dedicated team of volunteer divers worked tirelessly over the two-day mission to remove harmful ghost nets, protecting the rich #marine life in these waters. Thanks to their incredible efforts, the seas of #Ognina are now cleaner and safer! Next, we’re excited to announce that in early November, we’ll head to the West Coast near LA for another crucial mission, this time with Drew Kibler . A huge thank you to everyone involved, especially our amazing partners #Arena, Gregorio Paltrinieri and the divers from Capo Murro Diving Center! Stay tuned for more updates and join us in our ongoing mission to cleaner seas! Underwater shots by: Stefano Gualtieri ________ #PlanetWater #GhostNetCleanup #HealthyOceans #SustainableFuture #ArenaSwimWear #GregorioPaltrinieri #DrewKibler #Sicily #Siracuse

During dives off the coast of Greece, we encountered nets scattered across the #seafloor looking almost like carpets. Beneath their appearance, however, they were causing significant harm to marine life. By recovering these nets and removing them from the ocean, our goal is to help restore polluted waters and promote healthier marine ecosystems, benefiting both local communities and aquatic species. Operation Ghost Farms would not be possible without the support of Hyundai Motor Europe 🙏🏼 Thanks to everyone involved: Ghost Diving ; We Dive We Clean ; Diopas S.A. ; Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece; OZON NGO. Together, for a change. Photos by:Cor Kuyvenhoven and Rogier Visser ___________ #HealthySeas #Hyundai #CleanUp #MarineConservation #WesternGreece #SaveOurOceans #OperationGhostFarms #CleanSeas #Greece

During Operation Ghost Farms - Reclaiming Waters, we did not only encounter nets and #PVC tubes but also ropes! What are ropes used for in fish farming, and why is it problematic to leave them in the marine environment? Structural Support: Ropes provide the framework for various #aquaculture systems, such as cages, nets, and lines. These structures must be sturdy and secure to withstand water currents and weather conditions. #Mooring and Anchoring: Ropes are used for anchoring cages, pens, and other structures to the seabed. Proper mooring ensures that the structures stay in place, even in strong currents or rough seas, preventing them from drifting or being damaged. Leaving the ropes in the marine environment would mean further degrading into microplastics and contributing to marine pollution. That's why we are organising with Hyundai Motor Europe a big aquaculture cleanup action. For cleaner seas. 🤝 Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible: Ghost Diving; We Dive We Clean; Diopas S.A. ; Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece; OZON NGO. Together, for a change. Keep an eye out for updates and exciting news on 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 - 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! 🌊 Stay tuned! Photo by: Cor Kuyvenhoven ___________________ #aquaculture #fishfarm #saltwater #ghostdiving #HealthySeas #marineconservation #oceanconservation #plasticpollution #underwatercleanup #underwater #wildlife #Greece

Dive into Action! 🐠🔍 One of many #ghostfishing farm structures lying on the #ocean floor. Abandoned fish farms, also known as 'ghost farms', are #aquaculture sites left to decay in the sea after they are abandoned or no longer in use. These facilities become environmental hazards as their structures deteriorate and release debris, plastic, and pollutants into the surrounding waters. These remnants of abandoned fishing gear are hazardous to #marinelife, and we are working hard to remove them. Every piece we clear during Operation Ghost Farms helps make the ocean a safer place for its inhabitants! Stay tuned for the next episode of Operation Ghost Farms - Reclaiming Waters! Operation Ghost Farms would not be possible without the support of Hyundai Europe Learn more about Ghost Farms: https://lnkd.in/dFdgkisp 🤝 Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible: #volunteer divers from Ghost Diving; We Dive We Clean; Diopas S.A.; Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece; OZON NGO. Photos by: Cor Kuyvenhoven _______ #GhostFarms #OceanConservation #MarineEcosystem #HealthySeas #GreeceCleanup

Operation Ghost Farms 🌊 During the first episode, we successfully removed 42.7 tons of marine litter, including 11.3 tons of large nets entangled on the seabed. 🐟🪢 This debris and surface structures made of pipes, polystyrene, and various plastics contribute heavily to ocean pollution. 🚮🌊 Abandoned farms also litter beaches with broken boats, ropes, plastic bottles, and fishing lines, endangering wildlife and humans alike. 🏝️🐢🚶♂️ The recycling of the collected materials marks a critical step forward, but ongoing efforts and sustainable practices are essential to prevent further environmental harm. ♻️🌍 Many thanks to Hyundai Motor Europe for their crucial support in enabling Operations Ghost Farms. _____ #OperationGhostFarms #GhostFarms #Aquaculture #MarineLitter #Greece Ghost Diving Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece OZON NGO Diopas S.A. European Outdoor Education Hub

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 Ghost farms endanger marine life with large nets and debris, leading to injuries and death for creatures like #fish and #turtles . They contribute heavily to ocean pollution through materials such as pipes, polystyrene, and plastics, which break down into harmful microplastics. Abandoned farms also litter beaches with hazardous items, threatening both wildlife and humans. Cleanup efforts are costly, highlighting the need for better management and sustainable practices in aquaculture. Many thanks to Hyundai Motor Europe for their crucial support in enabling Operations Ghost Farms. _____ #OperationGhostFarms #GhostFarms #Aquaculture #MarineLitter #Greece Ghost Diving Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece OZON NGO Diopas S.A. European Outdoor Education Hub

🌊🐟 Such a clean #fishnet – the nets we recovered during Operation Ghost Farms looked like new, with no life having grown on them. Do you know what #antifouling is? It means coating nets with biocides, chemical substances designed to inhibit or eradicate #microorganisms responsible for fouling (the growth of unwanted organisms like #algae, #barnacles, and other marine life). However, we must consider the environmental impact of #biocides. Their presence in #aquatic ecosystems has demonstrated #toxic effects, posing significant risks to #marine life and #ecosystems alike. The nets retrieved during Operation Ghost Farms, if left in the #water, would continue to harm marine life. Operation Ghost Farms, taking place in the western waters of #Greece 🇬🇷, is dedicated to preserving the vital habitat upon which #marineanimals depend for their survival. Operation Ghost Farms would not be possible without the support of Hyundai Motor Europe. 🤝 Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible: #volunteer divers from Ghost Diving ; We Dive We Clean ; Diopas S.A.; Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece ; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece ; OZON NGO. Photo by: Cor Kuyvenhoven ________ #GhostFarms #OceanConservation #MarineEcosystem #HealthySeas #GreeceCleanup

Together with Hyundai Motor Europe, reclaiming waters from abandoned fish farms along the Western #Greece coast. Starting with a ten-day intensive clean-up near #Patras and #Ithaca , our initiative aims to restore #marine environments and support local communities. During these ten days, we also held two educational programs in primary schools and university workshops. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 - 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 takes a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue of ghost farms. Our recent survey with OZON NGO mapped out 440-450 nautical miles of #coastline , revealing 150 potential hotspots of fish farming-related waste. This eye-opening data shows the scale of the challenge ahead and the urgency to act. But we're not stopping there! Building on past successes, like our clean-ups in #Ithaca, we're expanding to tackle multiple locations for the long haul. Keep an eye out for updates and exciting news on 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 - 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! Stay tuned! Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible: #volunteer divers from Ghost Diving ; Diopas S.A. ;Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece; OZON NGO. Together, for a change. ______ #aquaculture #fishfarm #saltwater #HealthySeas #marineconservation #oceanconservation #plasticpollution #underwatercleanup #underwater #wildlife #Greece

It's time to take action! - #Ecological Degradation: Abandoned #fish farms release debris, plastic, and pollutants, disrupting marine ecosystems and harming underwater life. - Ghost Fishing: These abandoned structures continue to trap fish, turtles, and other creatures, perpetuating " #ghostfishing " that threatens biodiversity. - Habitat Damage: Derelict equipment alters natural habitats, damaging seabeds and hindering marine #ecosystem regeneration. - Economic & Social Impact: Coastal communities reliant on fishing and #tourism suffer as fish populations decline and marine habitats are disrupted. To learn more about Ghost Farms, visit https://lnkd.in/dFdgkisp and follow us on our next episode of Operations Ghost Farms—a huge cleanup of another #aquaculture site in #Greece 🇬🇷! Operation Ghost Farms would not be possible without the support of Hyundai Motor Europe 🤝 Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible: #volunteer divers from Ghost Diving ; Aquafil Group; Diopas S.A.; Odyssey Outdoor Activities - Ithaca, Greece ; European Outdoor Education Hub; Embassy of the Netherlands in Greece ; OZON NGO . Photo by: Cor Kuyvenhoven ________ #GhostFarms #OceanConservation #MarineEcosystem #HealthySeas #GreeceCleanup