Litter dive at Stockholm Ström
On Sunday, 8 June 2025, in celebration of the UN International World Oceans Day, the EU-funded project Re:Fish hosted an inspiring event at Stockholm Ström, one of the city’s prime fishing spots. The event centered around a litter dive to address one of the most pressing global environmental challenges: marine pollution, with a special focus on salvaging lost fishing gear. This engaging activity aimed to shed light on how litter affects ocean health while offering practical solutions for waste-free fishing practices.
Carried out in collaboration with partners from Sweden, Finland, and Estonia under the Interreg Central Baltic Programme, the initiative highlighted the importance of transnational efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
The result
The litter dive proved to be both eye-opening and impactful, shining a spotlight on the scale and composition of underwater waste. The following items were recovered:
– 22 electric scooters, several bicycles, and even a Darth Vader mask.
– 170 kg of tires and 300 kg of miscellaneous waste, including fishing equipment.
These findings illustrate the pressing need for continued cleanup efforts and underline the larger issue of plastic pollution and its harmful effects on marine life.
The event attracted over 500 visitors, including members of the public, families, and maritime enthusiasts. Visitors explored interactive activities, received valuable insights into sustainable fishing, and witnessed the tangible impact of marine cleanup efforts firsthand.
Special thanks to the organizers, including Hands2Ocean, Keep Sweden Tidy, Keep the Archipelago Tidy, the University of Tartu, and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), as well as the team of skilled divers, volunteers, and all participants. Your contributions made this event a great success.
