Joint fight against marine waste nets

In order to draw attention to marine pollution and protect biodiversity, more than 10 tons of waste nets were removed from the sea within the scope of the project carried out by the Mediterranean Conservation Association, supported by Samsung Turkey. Some of the extracted networks were ‘upcycled’ in cooperation with Samsung Turkey and the Repairers Club.

Lost or abandoned nets, which can survive in the seas for years and affect the lives of millions of marine creatures, are known as one of the most dangerous plastic wastes. Samsung Electronics Turkey supported a part of the ‘Bozburun Clean-Up Operation’ carried out by the Mediterranean Conservation Association in cooperation with the Endangered Landscapes Program and Blue Marine Foundation. Within the framework of this project, waste nets that had been lying in the sea for years were cleaned in the work initiated in Bozburun town of Muğla. Within the scope of the project, more than 10 tons of waste nets were collected in Bozburun. These nets, which are lost or abandoned and cannot be brought back to the surface, remain as traps in the habitats of various marine creatures for years. Waste nets dragged by sea currents and winds entangle and cause loss of life in fish, marine mammals and other marine creatures, while also causing great damage to the habitat in the region.

Mediterranean Conservation Association said on the subject: “Nets that are lost in the sea or turned into waste deliberately left behind do not decompose in nature, but can continue to be caught passively.” It also threatens important habitats such as seagrass meadows and coral reefs by covering marine habitats and reducing light and oxygen permeability. Waste nets, which also cause microplastic pollution, negatively affect marine biodiversity. As the Mediterranean Conservation Association, we have been carrying out cleaning activities to remove these nets from marine life since our establishment in 2012. The cleaning operation we carried out in Bozburun was quite comprehensive and effective for marine life in the region. “We think that this workshop, which was held for waste nets in the sea in cooperation with Samsung and the Repairers Club, is very important to draw attention to the issue,” he said.

Samsung Turkey also, within the scope of its collaboration with the Repairers Club, transformed some of the waste nets removed from the sea by the Mediterranean Conservation Association into lighting accessories through a workshop. Expressing that they are very happy that environmental studies and the innovative power of art come together and the value of creating new objects with upcycling, Onaranlar Club included the following sentences about the project in its statement: “Sea pollution is one of the most important environmental pollution problems in the world that has been threatening the lives of creatures living in the sea for many years.” someone. In the upcycling workshop we held to draw attention to lost or abandoned nets, which are one of the causes of this pollution, we transformed waste nets collected from the sea bottom into lighting units. With this project, we wanted to emphasize that we need upcycling and the contribution of every individual to reduce the impact of damage to nature. We hope that such initiatives will raise more awareness around the world and inspire societies to protect our seas and nature.”

”The steps we have taken so far in the use of upcycled plastics will continue in the future with the expansion of our work in this field.”

Murat Azdemir, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Mobile Business Unit: “Samsung’s environmental vision includes wide-ranging commitments such as reducing energy and water consumption, zero carbon emission target, and use of renewable energy. We adopt an approach that covers the entire product life cycle, from raw material supply to waste recycling. This vision contributes to the protection of natural resources by increasing the use of recycled materials. For example, our new foldable devices, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5, used a wider range of recycled materials than previous models. As Samsung, we are on our way to fulfilling our environmental responsibility while strengthening our promises for the future by combining sustainability and innovation. “I am extremely happy and proud for the realization of this project, which I think sets an example in this context,” he said.