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Untangling the sea – Destination Zero Waste Sicily

Project duration: January 2025 – December 2025

A 1-year project conducted by SEF aimed at assessing the feasibility of a circular economy of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and setting up a regional network of stakeholders engaged in addressing this environmental threat. The project involves local stakeholders, including diving centers to map ALDFG; fishing companies to improve ghost gear management; artisans and recycling facilities to explore reuse and recycle options; and public authorities to draw long-term governance.
This project is enabled by TUI Care Foundation and implemented by SEF in collaboration with Abyss Clean Up, association specialized in the identification and removal of marine litter and ghost nets and CNR-IGAG providing scientific support for environmental impact assessment.

Project activities

Call to Action and Diving Explorations
This initiative aims to engage divers and environmental organizations in mapping abandoned fishing gear, gathering data to identify critical areas, and supporting future recovery efforts.

Stakeholder Analysis and Network Development
This activity focuses on identifying and engaging key stakeholders from the fisheries and environmental sectors to discuss strategies for managing discarded gear and fostering collaboration.

Capacity Building for Fishing Companies
This activity offers training sessions for fishers and fishing companies on sustainable practices and tools designed to reduce gear loss at sea.

Social Mapping and Design Activism
This initiative promotes a circular economy for the recovery of discarded fishing nets, involving local artisans and recycling infrastructures to create sustainable solutions.

Upcycling Workshops
Hands-on workshops will guide participants in transforming discarded nets into new products. Expert artisans will share traditional techniques while raising awareness about the circular economy and upcycling practices.

Final Event
An opportunity to bring together stakeholders and institutions, to raise awareness about the sustainable management of ALDFG and foster new synergies for future projects.

For more information please contact our project manager: carlo@sicilyenvironment.org

*MARCH 2025 UPDATE*

Are you a professional diver or fisherman? Join us to help free the sea from abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in Sicily, a threat to the health of our ecosystems.

Report abandoned fishing gear in the sea or unused nets stored on land by filling out the form.

This data will be used to plan targeted interventions, involving divers, fishermen, researchers, and artisans in the removal and potential recycling of these materials.

**APRIL 2025 UPDATE**

The first mapping and sea explorations to identify abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) both on land and at sea, are taking place in Sicily, within the “Untangling the sea – Destination Zero Waste Sicily” project.

Local fishers, despite difficult weather conditions, often brave the sea, losing their fishing nets. Furthermore, when nets are no longer in use or recovered from the sea, they become hazardous waste, and their disposal is extremely costly.

For this reason, we want to assess the possibility of creating a circular economy and establishing a regional network of stakeholders to fight against this environmental threat, planning targeted interventions for the removal and potential recycling of these materials.

Thank you to Benedetto Gagliano, Ass.Favarotta Sport Fishing di Terrasini.

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Mathia Coco, Riccio Blu

***MAY 2025 UPDATE***

600 kg and 400 meters of ghost nets recovered off the coast of the Ognina marina in Syracuse!

Two large abandoned nets, made up of trammel nets, FADs, longlines, and gillnets, were recovered at depths between 38 and 45 meters. They were still only slightly encrusted, indicating they had been recently abandoned and posed a real threat to marine life.

The area is frequented by both professional and amateur fishermen, as well as recreational boaters and tourists. An important recovery for the sea, biodiversity, and the safety of swimmers and freedivers.

***JUNE 2025 UPDATE***

“Beyond Form,” the design and prototyping workshop offered a chance to explore new uses for fishing nets as part of the Untangling the Sea project.

Hosted by Scalo 5B, a group of students, artists, and professionals, led by Diego Emanuele, professor and creative director at STUDIOFORWARD, and Luca Cimino, breathed new life into these nets, transforming them into functional and creative prototypes.

Starting from a collective reflection on the ecological and social impacts of discarded or abandoned fishing nets in the sea, the workshop explored creative reuse solutions, giving shape to objects such as plant holders, room dividers, headpieces, and custom seating.

A tangible example of circular economy that combines marine conservation with coastal community involvement, turning waste into a resource.

Scroll through the report.

***JULY 2025 UPDATE***

Thanks to the Untangling the Sea project and the collaboration with Diving Center Saracen, we’re offering both the local community and tourists the chance to take part in snorkeling and diving activities to discover the marine biodiversity of the Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine Marine Protected Area, as well as learn about ongoing conservation projects.
Why are we doing this? Because we believe in the value of responsible enjoyment of our natural heritage and in the importance of conscious, sustainable tourism, especially during peak seasons. Marine Protected Areas are a shared resource and play a vital role in promoting tourism that is both balanced and environmentally respectful.
Free participation on July 20, August 3, and August 10, subject to availability.
For info and registration, contact Tony Scontrino at Diving Center Saracen
: +39 347 728 3341

Mission accomplished in Terrasini!

In the waters between Scoglio del Corallo and Cala Rossa, a new ghost net recovery operation took place.

The intervention, involving divers from the Subacquetto Diving Center and fishermen from the Favarotta Sport Fishing cooperative, led to the removal of abandoned fishing nets that were still trapping marine life and posing a danger to the ecosystem. A total of 200 kg of nets were recovered at depths between 12 and 18 meters. During the operation, a slipper lobster and some starfish that had become trapped were freed.

Special thanks go to the Coast Guard and the Municipality of Terrasini for their assistance and support in the disposal of the recovered nets.

***AUGUST 2025 UPDATE***

This summer, we brought together creativity, marine exploration, and environmental awareness, engaging both local communities and tourists in activities that highlight the region’s natural heritage and explore circular practices.

At the Almar Giardino di Costanza Mazara del Vallo in Mazara del Vallo, a group of Italian and international tourists turned old fishing nets into handmade pouches, guided by artisan Maria Grosso. A creative workshop that showed how sustainability can take shape through the art of reuse.

Diving Center Saracen led three days dedicated to marine discovery and sustainable interaction with the sea in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine. A first baptism dive for those new to scuba diving, and two snorkeling trips in the MPA. A unique opportunity to closely explore marine biodiversity and reflect on the importance of ecosystem conservation and truly responsible tourism.

****OCTOBER 2025 UPDATE****

Beyond the Form – Redesigning Disused Nets / Second Edition

October 23–24, 2025

Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva

Via Messina Marine 14, Palermo

Among meshes and knots, the sea leaves a pattern, we transform it.

Over two days, we will work with discarded fishing nets to create furniture, accessories, and light objects, from manual craft to prototype, as part of the project “Untangling the Sea”.

A workshop aimed at creatives and artisans interested in experimenting with upcycling processes, weaving techniques, and textile craftsmanship applied to design.

With Maria Grosso, Diego Emanuele, and Luca Cimino

Registration open until all spots are filled. Subscribe!

“Beyond the Form,” the Design and Prototyping workshop, returns for its second edition at the Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva in Palermo, as part of the Untangling the Sea project. 🕸️
Students, artisans, and professionals explored the creative potential of discarded nets, experimenting with new ways to transform waste materials into objects, guided by Diego Emanuele and Luca Cimino of Studio Forward, along with reuse artisans Maria Grosso and Tommaso Barbera. 🧶
Among the prototypes created: bags, hammocks, fashion accessories, and tablecloths, the result of a collective effort intertwining manual techniques and digital tools, from sewing machines to 3D printers. 🪡
An experience in circular design that brings together creativity, sustainability, and community, giving new life to materials and new forms to collaboration between people and places. 🤲🏻

*****NOVEMBER 2025 UPDATE*****

Join us on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva (Via Messina Marine 14, Palermo) for an event dedicated to the sea, circularity, and collaboration among experts and local organizations committed to protecting the sea in Sicily.
The meeting is part of the “Untangling the Sea” project, carried out by the Sicily Environment Fund in collaboration with Abyss Cleanup and CNR-IGAG, with the support of the TUI Care Foundation.
During the event, we will share the results from the first year of work on the sustainable management of fishing nets in Sicily, present the project video directed by Igor D’India, and showcase photos by Mathia Coco and prototypes created during the re-design workshops led by Studio Forward, where artisans and designers transformed discarded nets.
Register via the link in SEF bio to take part and become part of this network of experiences and good practices! https://lnkd.in/dMjemsQD