MAELSTROM Sunset Beach Cleanup @ Vila do Conde
DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THE SUNSET BEACH CLEANUP IS POSTPONED TO 23/09/2023. FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER UPDATES.
A sunset beach cleanup, followed by a stargazing session. This is the proposal of the European project H2020 MAELSTROM to celebrate the World Cleanup Day on September 16th, an international initiative that brings together more than 190 countries in beach cleaning actions around the world.
Press release – Portuguese version here
The MAELSTROM Sunset Beach Cleanup will take place in Vila do Conde, Portugal, on September 16th and is a joint action between the MAELSTROM project, the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), the Vila do Conde City Council, Counting Stars, the Centre of Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation of Vila do Conde (CMIA) and CIMA Research Foundation. The event counts also with a vast support from national and local partners such as DOCAPESCA- Portos e Lotas S.A, Águas do Norte – Grupo Águas de Portugal, FOCA – Focus On Critical Actions and UNIFARDAS and is also part of the European EU Beach Cleanup campaign, which aims to raise awareness about marine pollution and how our habits impact the oceans.
The MAELSTROM Sunset Beach Cleanup will start at 5pm in front of the CMIA headquarters (Avenida Marquês Sá da Bandeira, 320, 4480-916 Vila do Conde; 41°20’39.6″N 8°44’44.0″W), with the reception of the participants. A brief explanation on MAELSTROM’s activities and the main causes and impacts of marine litter will be given by CMIA and CIIMAR scientists and educators. Following this introduction, the beach cleaning will begin, culminating with a snack break. From 9pm a special stargazing session will take place, hosted by the Counting Stars team, a group of astronomers and astrophotographers committed to reconnecting people with the wonders of the Universe.
BUT WHAT’S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MICROPLASTICS AND THE STARS?
We believe that it’s essential to fully understand our Planet, observing what happens both above and under us so that we can truly love it, care for it and protect it. A recent report by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) estimates that there are five hundred times more microplastics on Earth than there are stars in the Milky Way! [1]
The numbers indeed impressive: every year, more than 11 million tons of garbage end up in our oceans and of these, around 80% are plastics which are impacting ecosystems, marine life and people’s health by entering the food chain. It is therefore extremely important to promote awareness, the adoption of policies, good practices and behaviors that can reverse the current situation. During the UN Oceans Conference (UNOC), held this year in Portugal, the Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres declared that “we are responsible for the problems in the Oceans, and we need to provide solutions”; it is precisely with this motivation that the MAELSTROM project, CIIMAR, the Vila do Conde City Council, Counting Stars, CMIA and CIMA Research Foundation came together to organize an event that will not bring solutions but will certainly invite people of all ages to reflect deeply on the subject.
In order to guarantee everyone, the best possible experience, participation in the event is subject to prior registration until September 13th through the link: https://forms.gle/sFb9ZyqD23qksMww5
THE EUROPEAN PROJECT MAELSTROM
Funded by the European Commission, under the H2020 Programme, MAELSTROM (Smart technology for MARinE Litter SusTainable Removal and Management) brings together a consortium of 14 international partners with the mission to investigate and implement innovative technologies for the identification, collection, recycling and recovery of marine litter. At the same time, the project proposes the creation of moments and activities to raise awareness on the marine litter topic, with the direct involvement of citizens. After having developed and installed a robotic platform in Venice, the MAELSTROM project will install a Bubble Barrier in the Ave River, in Vila do Conde. Both technologies were designed to create with the lowest possible environmental impact.
Website: https://www.maelstrom-h2020.eu | E-mail: info@maelstrom-h2020.eu
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE BEACH CLEANUP
• Comfortable clothing and footwear
• Reusable water bottle
• A big smile and lots of energy to clean the beach!
For info on MAELSTROM Sunset Beach Cleanup, please contact:
Email: sunsetcleanup23@gmail.com
Mobile: +351 965618400