On Sunday, 16 November 2025, Paphos Harbor became a hub of action, collaboration, and ocean awareness during a large-scale underwater and coastal cleanup, combined with an open dialogue on the Blue Economy.

The initiative was organised by the Cyprus Ports Authority, with the support of:

• AKTI Project and Research Centre

• Municipality of Paphos

• Department of Environment

• Department of Fisheries and Marine Research

• Paphos Fishermen Association

• American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo Campus

• Atlantas Sports Academy

• Professional divers

Together with volunteers, they joined forces to clean and protect one of Cyprus’ most iconic coastal areas. 🙌

Cleaning beneath and along the surface 🌊

Professional divers, sports groups, and local partners carried out an underwater cleanup in Paphos Harbor, removing marine litter from the seabed and raising awareness of the hidden impact of waste in our ports and coastal waters.

At the same time, AKTI coordinated a beach cleanup, engaging volunteers of all ages in hands-on environmental action and data collection, highlighting how everyday behaviour and local policies influence the health of our seas.

1 hour, 18 divers, 1.8 tons of debris 🌊

In just one hour, 18 divers removed an estimated 1.8 tons of debris from the seabed of Paphos Old Harbour.

Among the litter, they recovered:

• 🚗 32 car tires

• 🏍️ 8 motorcycle tires

• 🚛 4 truck tires

These findings are a stark reminder of how much hidden waste accumulates beneath the surface – and how urgently we need to rethink our relationship with the sea.

SeaTecHub Blue Café: Talking about the Blue Economy 💬🐟

As part of the SeaTecHub project, AKTI also hosted a participatory Blue Café on site, bringing together:

• volunteers and divers,

• fishermen and local stakeholders,

• students and representatives of partnering organisations.

In an open, informal setting, participants discussed:

• what the Blue Economy means for Cyprus and local communities,

• how marine pollution affects coastal life, fisheries, tourism, and ecosystem health,

• how innovative technologies – from sensors and ICT systems to marine robotics – can support monitoring, protection, and sustainable use of the sea. 💡🌍

These conversations helped connect local experience with SeaTecHub’s vision for a healthy and productive sea, showing how research and innovation can support real-world solutions.

A shared commitment to a cleaner, safer sea 💙

The event demonstrated the power of multi-stakeholder cooperation: public authorities, researchers, NGOs, universities, sports groups, and citizens all working side by side.

While the litter collected was a reminder of ongoing challenges, the strong participation and engagement sent a clear message:
👉 protecting the sea is a shared responsibility – and a shared opportunity for a more sustainable future.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part, both in the water and on land.
SeaTecHub will continue to support such initiatives that connect action, dialogue, and innovation for our seas. 🌊