On Saturday the Bubbles Dive Centre team and local scuba divers completed a Dive Against Debris underwater survey in Marsalforn Bay. The event, which is part of an International Project AWARE campaign, involved trained divers not only removing underwater debris such as plastic bottles and fishing lines, but also identifying and documenting everything collected underwater in a larger effort to prevent marine debris.
Director of Diving at Bubbles Dive Centre, David Hayler-Montague led the dive and gave a pre-dive briefing, telling everyone about the importance of battling marine debris issues locally and internationally. Armed with mesh collecting bags the team of eight spent an hour collecting rubbish from the sea bed. The result? An estimated 25 kilos of a variety of marine debris including plastics, 20 metres of discarded rope, glass bottles, batteries, cigarette lighters, clothing, scrap metal, a boat throttle and what appeared to be the top of roof water tank.
“We had many spectators watching the divers in the shallow waters and curious passers-by looking at the debris as it was sorted out on the surface. If our Dive Against Debris has changed just one person’s attitude to throwing rubbish into the sea, then we will be delighted”, says David Hayler-Montague. “We believe most people really want to see an improvement in the marine environment and we’d like to thank the local businesses who sponsored the event by paying for air fills and mesh bags and providing cold drinks after the dive, as well as our volunteers who dived with us yesterday afternoon.”
Details of the debris have been recorded and sent to Project AWARE for analysis alongside data from similar events held around the World. This data will help drive changes in policies and infrastructure at local, regional and international levels.
To participate in the next Dive Against Debris visit facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BubblesDiveCentre or contact Donna Hayler-Montague on 2702-8299 or email donna@diving-gozo.com.
For additional information in Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris program and to join the global movement for ocean protection visit www.projectaware.org.