This year's Ocean Bed Clean-Up, organized by the QLZH Foundation, was nothing short of incredible! Held at Maori, Valletta on Saturday, 7th September, this event brought together over 80 passionate volunteers with one shared mission: to rid our ocean and coastline of harmful waste and protect the marine environment for future generations.

With a fantastic turnout of divers, snorkelers, SUP paddlers, kayakers, and on-land helpers, we managed to collect an astonishing amount of waste—filling two large skips with everything from plastic debris to old fishing nets, and even a few surprising items!

How We Did It

Our dedicated team of divers began the day by plunging into the ocean, carefully gathering rubbish from the seabed. Snorkelers worked alongside them, covering shallower waters. The collected waste was transferred to SUPs and kayaks, which helped ferry the debris from the sea to the shore. On land, our volunteers sorted and managed the waste for proper disposal, with the generous support of the Valletta Local Council providing skips to handle the collection.

We were also honoured to have the participation of the Mayor of Valletta, showing the collective importance of such environmental initiatives. The presence of St John Ambulance provided peace of mind with their first aid services on site, ensuring everyone's safety throughout the event.

A Day of Teamwork and Impact

This year’s clean-up built on the success of last year, where we managed to remove over 2,500 kgs of waste—including a car engine! Our volunteers, both returning and new, once again rose to the occasion, demonstrating that community action can make a real difference. 

The impact of this clean-up goes beyond the physical waste collected. It’s about raising awareness, fostering a sense of responsibility, and inspiring others to join the fight against pollution in our seas. We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers, sponsors, and partners for making this day possible.

Special Thanks

A big thank you to our main sponsor, Parnis England, and our partners, including Dr Juice, Dive Sytems, EZ Creations, Malta Surf Club, St Johns, Man with a Van, Transport Malta, The Valletta Local Council,Sensi Watersports, and Laferla Insurance, whose support made the event possible. Your contributions helped cover everything from dive gear to food, ensuring that we captured the essence of the day and its impact.

Looking Forward

As we reflect on the success of this year’s Ocean Bed Clean-Up, we remain committed to continuing this mission and expanding our efforts. We hope to see even more of you at future clean-up events. Together, we can protect our oceans and make a lasting difference.

Thank you to everyone involved, and let’s keep working together for a cleaner, healthier ocean!