SEA SHEPHERD 2024 – OPERATION GHOSTNET

Fondazione Iris Ceramica Group continues to support Sea Shepherd in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development, renewing its commitment to Operation Ghostnet.

SEA SHEPHERD 2024 – OPERATION GHOSTNET

Fondazione Iris Ceramica Group continues to support Sea Shepherd in its efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development, renewing its commitment to Operation Ghostnet 2024. The campaign run in the Mediterranean Sea aims to tackle the problem of lost or abandoned fishing equipment, the so-called "ghost nets” that cause serious damage to the marine ecosystem and represent a threat to vessel safety.
Ghost nets are one of the most serious threats for marine ecosystems, representing over 48% of the plastics in "floating garbage patches". It is estimated that up to 70% of the weight of macro-plastic waste in the sea comes from fishing equipment. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), as early as 2009 around 640,000 tonnes of ghost nets were left in the oceans every year, and today we presume that the figure is even higher. 

Operation Ghostnet is fundamental for preventing this threat and protecting the Mediterranean waters through four key actions:

  1. Creation of a database of abandoned fishing equipment: This tool helps to monitor and locate the ghost nets, facilitating recovery operations.
  2. Removal of the ghost nets: Professional scuba divers help to recover the abandoned nets, thus reducing the negative impact on marine fauna.
  3. Recovery and recycling of the ghost nets: The recovered equipment is recycled, becoming new resources and reducing pollution while promoting the circular economy.
  4. Data dissemination: The data collected are disseminated for scientific and information purposes, raising awareness and fostering further research and conservation initiatives.

Fondazione Iris Ceramica Group demonstrates its active commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, continuing to support Sea Shepherd and employing resources to conserve the marine ecosystem. Together, we aim to build a better future, where respect for the environment and sustainable development are the focus of all our actions and projects.