El Puerto de Santa María, 3 June 2024 – The recent seabed clean-up carried out in Puerto Sherry has underlined the urgent need to take care of our marine environment. This activity, which was part of a national campaign promoted by the Red de Vigilantes Marinos and the NGO Oceánidas, and organised by volunteers from the Capitán Garfio Club in Rota, has demonstrated that community collaboration can have a significant impact on the preservation of our seas.

During the clean-up, volunteers managed to remove more than 500 kg of waste from the bottom of the Puerto Sherry dock. This success not only highlights the alarming amount of rubbish polluting our waters, but also the capacity and commitment of society to address this challenge. However, waste collection is only part of the solution; more important is tackling the root causes of marine pollution and encouraging long-term sustainable practices, which is very high on Puerto Sherry’s roadmap.

The ocean is vital to life on Earth, providing food, regulating the climate, generating oxygen and being home to astonishing biodiversity. Pollution from plastics and other debris threatens these ecosystems, affecting both marine life and human health. Every piece of rubbish removed from the sea is a step towards restoring these delicate habitats. This Saturday’s clean-up in Puerto Sherry also highlights the importance of environmental education and awareness. Informative talks and waste sorting and management activities are essential to foster a culture of environmental responsibility.

‘It is necessary to continue to promote and participate in activities such as these, and even more so, to work on the implementation of policies and practices that reduce waste generation. Marine sustainability is a priority for us, and we all have a role to play in protecting our oceans for future generations.

The Puerto Sherry dock clean-up has been a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when you join forces for a common cause. But it is also a call to action: protecting our marine environment is an ongoing, collective task that requires our constant commitment,’ says Nicolás Figueras, general manager of Puerto Sherry.

In addition to its environmental impact, the campaign has a charitable nature, as the kilos of waste collected are exchanged for kilos of food that are donated to the Spanish Federation of Food Banks (FESBAL), thanks to an agreement with Nueva Pescanova.

The activity in Puerto Sherry was attended by members of its staff and the councillor for the Environment and Sustainable Development of El Puerto de Santa María, Millán Alegre, and the collaboration of the local leading waste management company PUSAMA, which will be responsible for the proper management and weighing of waste for the issuance of an official certificate. The organisers hope that this initiative will become an annual event.