Ithaca's natural horseshoe harbour is picturesque – but it hides a dirty secret

Volunteer divers have removed almost 73 tonnes of solid waste from Greek seabeds across 13 years. On the Greek island of Ithaca, Vathy is known for its natural horseshoe harbour. But the beautiful port hides a dirty secret. A volunteer diving team recently removed around 1,300 kilograms of solid waste from the wider harbour area. The two-day operation marked the start of this year's 'We Dive We Clean' campaign. This was the group's 186th mission, across 13 years of underwater environmental work in different parts of Greece. According to figures released by the team, its total haul now stands at almost 73 tonnes of solid waste recovered from Greek seabeds. Bottles, nets, tyres and an almost entire plastic boat The scene that greeted the volunteer divers on the harbour floor highlights the scale of marine pollution and the variety of objects that end up in Greek waters. Among the waste brought up were plastic and glass bottles, aluminium cans, fishing lines, nets and fish traps, as well as batteries, tyres of various sizes, rugs and assorted plastic items. Equally striking was the number of objects linked to human activity and navigation in the harbour. Divers recovered parts of boats and dinghies, personal belongings and accessories that appear to have fallen overboard, chairs, traffic cones, bicycles, metal objects and anchors. One of the most notable finds was an almost complete plastic fishing boat. Removing such items is an important step towards improving the condition of the seabed, as discarded materials can burden the marine ecosystem, trap sea creatures and undermine the quality of the coastal environment. 13 years of voluntary work in Greek waters The operation in Vathy forms part of We Dive We Clean's long-term effort to remove solid waste from the Greek seabed and to draw attention to the problem of marine pollution. Founded in 2013, the group has carried out underwater clean-ups in harbours and coastal areas across the country, building up significant experience in lifting objects of different sizes and weights. Its work combines the practical removal of waste with efforts to raise public awareness about the need to protect the marine environment. Underwater clean-ups require proper training, specialised equipment and careful planning, particularly when large or heavy items are involved. The process begins with the removal of the largest objects and is followed by the collection of smaller pieces of debris, using the necessary lifting gear. The volunteers' regular presence in different parts of Greece has helped document a problem that often remains invisible from the surface: the build-up of waste in harbours, fishing shelters and other coastal locations. Encouraging signs, but no room for complacency The team says that much of the waste now being recovered from the seabed appears to date back many years. This creates a sense of cautious optimism among the volunteers, who believe there may be growing public awareness of environmental protection and waste management. However, this finding does not mean the problem has been solved. Keeping the seas clean calls for continuous effort, responsible behaviour from residents and visitors alike, proper waste management and an end to dumping rubbish in the water or along the shoreline. The operation in Vathy offers a stark reminder that even today large quantities of objects remain on the seabed of Greek harbours, out of sight in everyday life. At the same time, it highlights the importance of voluntary work and coordinated environmental action. With almost 73 tonnes of waste already removed from Greek waters, We Dive We Clean is continuing 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.