This initiative, set for next Saturday 8th June, is supported by the British band Depeche Mode and the watch brand Hublot, and seeks the participation of residents of Formentera
IbizaPreservation will carry out a coastal cleanup of Formentera this Saturday in celebration of World Oceans Day. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Whitesand Surf School in Illetes, and will cover the northern part of this beach up to Pas des Trucadors.
The goal of this activity, which is carried out in collaboration with Depeche Mode, Hublot, Conservation Collective, Trasmapi, MARE and the Whitesand Surf School, is “to raise awareness about the importance of the oceans for life on Earth, and to promote the protection of marine ecosystems,” explained Jordi Salewski, coordinator of the Circular Economy programme at IbizaPreservation. Salewski also highlighted the fundamental role of these ecosystems in generating oxygen, regulating the climate, and supporting vital economic activities such as fishing and tourism.
IbizaPreservation, a member of the Plastic Free Formentera alliance, is calling on the local population to participate in this initiative and help preserve the marine environment. “We invite everyone to take part in this important activity and to reflect on how we can do more in our daily lives to protect the oceans. Together we can make a significant difference,” emphasised Salewski.
Awakening new depths
World Oceans Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly, is celebrated annually on 8 June with the goal of highlighting the importance of oceans for life on Earth. This year’s theme, ‘Awakening new depths’, serves as a reminder of the urgent need to shift our relationship with the oceans. In this context, IbizaPreservation, as an organisation committed to marine protection and conservation, calls on governments to implement “stricter measures to ensure the health of our seas.”
“We don’t have time for ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Our relationship with the oceans urgently needs to change, as our efforts so far have only scratched the surface. To ignite a global movement for ocean conservation, we must delve deeper and confront the significant challenges that lie beneath the surface,” remarked Jordi Salewski.
Reducing plastic consumption, one of the main pollutants of the oceans, along with reusing and recycling, are essential actions everyone can take to help preserve marine ecosystems. These ecosystems not only “hosts rich biodiversity, but also play a critical role in supporting the local economy,” the foundation insists.
Additionally, IbizaPreservation urges governments to “invest in wastewater treatment and work to eliminate illegal dumping,” and emphasises the need to “protect Posidonia oceanica, effectively control illegal anchoring and uphold the 30×30 agreement,” which aims to protect 30% of the oceans and land by 2030, ensuring that at least 10% of these areas receive strict protection. At present, only 1.7% of the Balearic Sea is under high protection, with a target of increasing this to 10% by 2030 under the Balearic Blue Pact.
