On the 20th of September 2024, AKTI Project and Research Centre organized a highly successful event to celebrate International Cleanup Day at Ziatzi Beach, Agia Napa. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Christos Zannetou, Mayor of Agia Napa, and Mr. Yiannis Karousos, President of the Famagusta District Organization. Local schools enthusiastically participated, making it a truly community-driven initiative.

As part of the “SeaTecHub” project, the AKTI team educated students on the importance of ocean literacy. They guided them in collecting and sorting waste according to the European Protocol, with the collected data being logged in international databases to support global environmental efforts. The collective effort led to 535kg of debris!

Every year, over 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans, with plastic waste making up 95% of the debris found on Mediterranean coasts, in surface waters, and on the seabed. These plastics never fully degrade, instead breaking into harmful microplastics and nanoplastics that endanger marine life and human health as they enter our food chain and have even been detected in human tissues.

This cleanup was part of AKTI’s ongoing #potavristou initiative, now in its fifth year. The campaign has mobilized over 10,000 volunteers from across the globe, with participants joining from locations such as Singapore, California, Malta, and Japan.

The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) also participated, showcasing their advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), which provided live demonstrations of marine environment monitoring techniques.

The event was a great success, bringing together local communities and international partners to take a stand against marine pollution and help protect our oceans for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this important cause!