On the Ionian island of Ithaca, the horseshoe-shaped harbour of Vathy is a postcard image of Greek serenity. Yet beneath the turquoise surface lies a less charming reality: decades of discarded tyres, fishing gear, and even a near-complete plastic boat.
That was the scene confronting volunteer divers from the We Dive We Clean initiative during their latest mission, which pulled roughly 1,300 kilograms of solid waste from the harbour floor over two days. The operation, the group's 186th since its founding in 2013, marked the start of this year's campaign and brought its cumulative haul to almost 73 tonnes of debris recovered from Greek waters.
A seabed museum of human carelessness
The inventory of what divers brought up in Vathy reads like an inventory of coastal neglect: plastic and glass bottles, aluminium cans, fishing lines, nets and fish traps, alongside batteries, tyres of every size, rugs, and assorted plastic fragments. But the most telling finds were tied to human activity and navigation—parts of boats and dinghies, personal belongings that had slipped overboard, chairs, traffic cones, bicycles, metal objects, and anchors.
Perhaps the most striking discovery was an almost complete plastic fishing boat, a testament to how even large objects can vanish into the marine environment without a trace.
Removing such material is more than an aesthetic exercise. Discarded items can smother seabed habitats, entangle marine life, and degrade water quality, undermining the health of coastal ecosystems that local communities and tourism depend on.
Thirteen years of underwater volunteerism
We Dive We Clean, established in 2013, has turned underwater clean-ups into a disciplined practice. The group operates in harbours and coastal areas across Greece, developing expertise in lifting objects of varying size and weight. Each operation requires careful planning, specialised equipment, and trained divers—especially when dealing with heavy or awkward items. The process typically starts with removing the largest objects, then systematically collecting smaller debris using lifting gear.
Their persistent presence in different parts of the country has helped document a problem that often remains invisible from the surface: the accumulation of waste in ports, fishing shelters, and other coastal hotspots.
Encouraging signs, but no room for complacency
The team notes that much of the waste now being recovered appears to date back many years. That observation offers a measure of cautious optimism—perhaps public awareness about environmental protection and waste management is growing. But the group is quick to stress that the problem is far from solved.
Keeping the seas clean demands continuous effort: responsible behaviour from residents and visitors alike, proper waste management systems, and an end to the habit of dumping rubbish into the water or along the shoreline.
The Vathy operation is a stark reminder that even today, large quantities of objects remain on the seabed of Greek harbours, out of sight in everyday life. It also underscores the importance of voluntary work and coordinated environmental action.
With nearly 73 tonnes of waste already removed from Greek waters, We Dive We Clean continues its mission with a clear message: protecting the seas does not stop at cleaning them; it begins with preventing pollution and changing our daily habits.
