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Marine Life & Conservation

Liverpool divers bring rubbish to the surface in Underwater Litterpick

Published

12 years ago

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Car number plates, a pair of sunglasses and a watch were just some of the items which divers from Liverpool-based club TS Neptune brought to the surface during an Underwater Litterpick in the city centre.

Members of the city’s TS Neptune Sub Aqua Club, which is linked to the sea cadets, staged the clean up in Liverpool’s Dukes Dock to celebrate the BSAC’s Diamond Jubilee and as part of the Club’s annual Underwater Litterpick campaign. Club members spent more than five hours clearing debris from the dock basin.

Keith Bayley-Hamilton, TS Neptune SAC Secretary and Assistant Diving Officer, said the day proved a big success with more than 100 separate items being cleared from the bottom of the dock.

He said: “Although the club is affiliated to the Sea Cadets it is open to anyone to join. We had two of our cadets join a dozen adult divers for the day and they thoroughly enjoyed the event.

“It is important to get across the importance of clearing up the environment and looking after what is an important underwater habitat for wildlife. The problem is people seem to think because rubbish is out of sight underwater it doesn’t matter.

“However, there is a huge amount of wildlife living in the docks, including crabs, dog fish and even jellyfish and we wanted to improve the environment in which they live.” Liam Williams, 12, a pupil of Alsop High School, Queen’s Drive, Walton, said he thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Underwater Litterpick.

He said: “I found loads of bottles and old tin cans. It was a massive event which has been good for the environment. The visibility was quite good until the bottom got stirred up and I saw loads of stone fish and crabs.

“I started diving seven months ago with the sea cadets. I am an OC, ordinary cadet, and have qualified as a BSAC Ocean Diver. I want to carry on diving in the future, it’s brilliant.

“It’s especially good when we do stuff like clearing all the rubbish from the bottom of the docks. I think people who stopped to watch what we brought up were amazed at just how much trash there is in the docks.”

Keith Bayley-Hamilton says he was surprised not just by the volume of rubbish collected but by the variety of items found.

He said: “I think we all expected to find lots of bottles and tins but there were lots of other things too. Plastic is so harmful to wildlife yet there is so much of it.

“But we also found the odd old shoe, and a ladies watch although it certainly wasn’t an expensive one, more a type of fancy dress or piece of costume jewellery. And a pair of old sunglasses which was something of a strange find.

“It makes you wonder just how long some of these things have been lying in the dock and how they got there in the first place.”

The BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 runs until 31 October and clubs/individuals can still register to take part. Click here for details.

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Marine Life & Conservation

Raising Awareness for Scuttle the Cuttle – A Global First in Tackling Microplastic Pollution

Published

4 days ago

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May 19, 2025

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Addressing the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution, a new innovation is turning the tide—by placing real-world environmental action in the hands of children. Scuttle the Cuttle, a microplastic-collecting tool designed specifically for young users, has been launched as a practical and inspiring way to involve families in beach cleanups.

Crafted entirely from recycled ocean plastic, Scuttle is a cuttlefish-shaped combination of bucket and sieve. Its engaging design, sustainability credentials, and focus on education make it more than just a toy—it’s a tool for change.

scuttle the cuttle

Designed for Impact

Scuttle’s core purpose is to help remove microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5mm—from beaches. With a mesh size of 2.8mm, Scuttle can collect small plastic fragments and nurdles before they degrade further. This addresses a critical but often overlooked part of the plastic pollution problem.

Built for Young Eco-Heroes

Scuttle is ergonomically designed for both children and adults. Lightweight, durable, and easy to carry, it allows even the youngest users to contribute meaningfully to beach cleanups. Its approachable design turns environmental action into a fun and empowering activity for children and families.

Circular by Design

From production to end-of-life, Scuttle reflects a strong commitment to the circular economy. Made from 100% recycled ocean plastic and fully recyclable, it is manufactured with long-term use in mind. The product not only removes waste from the environment but also repurposes existing waste in its construction, reducing environmental impact across its lifecycle.

Community and Collaboration

In addition to its environmental function, Scuttle is part of a broader movement to build awareness and encourage local partnerships. It supports responsible sourcing, local collaborations, and community-driven conservation efforts.

Scuttle is now available for purchase and is positioned as the first product of its kind focused specifically on the collection of microplastics through kid-friendly, hands-on cleanup.

For more information about Scuttle the Cuttle, visit odysseyinnovation.com/pages/scuttle.

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Marine Life & Conservation

I.CARE, SSI Blue Oceans, and Mares Team Up to Remove Over 36,000 Pounds of Debris from the Florida Keys

Published

6 days ago

on

May 17, 2025

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The 3rd Annual I.CARE Trash Derby has come to a successful close, delivering a powerful message of community-driven conservation. In partnership with SSI Blue Oceans, Mares, and several other industry leaders, I.CARE once again led an inspiring grassroots effort to restore and protect the marine environment of the Florida Keys.

This year’s Trash Derby broke records, drawing support from more than 900 participants—including divers, boaters, and conservation advocates—who collectively removed an impressive 36,459 pounds of marine debris. Over a two-day period, teams worked on land, along shorelines, and at reef sites both above and below the water, making a meaningful contribution to the region’s ecological health.

“I am so proud of everyone involved in last week’s I.CARE Trash Derby,” said Mike Goldberg, Co-Founder of I.CARE. “This level of success comes from the passion and hard work of hundreds of people who care about our oceans, reefs, and local communities. I’m filled with gratitude.”

Recognizing Top Contributors: From Trash to Triumph

The event featured competition across three categories—Land & Shore, Private Boat, and Dive Operator—awarding teams based on the amount of debris collected per person. Additional special recognitions included the most monofilament retrieved and the most unusual item found. Congratulations to the standout teams of 2025:

Land & Shore Division:

  • Tired of Tires – 1,128.75 lbs/person

  • DerSno – 930.7 lbs/person

  • KnotaYacht – 124.2 lbs/person

Private Boat Division:

  • Triple Crown – 1,076.83 lbs/person

  • Fisherman & the Mermaid – 735.95 lbs/person

  • Dumpster Diving Divas – 572.875 lbs/person

Dive Operator Division:

  • Quiescence Diving – 430.6 lbs/person (average)

  • Key Dives – 141.3 lbs/person (average)

  • Captain’s Corner – 83.2 lbs/person (average)

Special Awards:

  • Most Monofilament Collected: Conch Republic Divers (26.8 lbs)

  • Most Unique Item Found: Bilge Buddies

Celebrating Conservation with Community and Education

The weekend concluded with the Trash Derby Festival at Founders Park in Islamorada. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and sustainability-focused vendors, all centered around marine conservation. The festival also provided opportunities to connect with environmental organizations and celebrate the participants’ achievements.

“The energy and dedication from everyone involved was incredible,” said Rachael Steidley, SSI’s North America Marketing Manager. “This event goes beyond collecting trash—it’s about building a movement and inspiring conservation on a global scale.”

Looking Ahead to 2026: Raising the Bar

Plans are already underway for the 4th Annual I.CARE Trash Derby, with organizers calling on dive pros, boaters, and ocean advocates to help set an even bigger record next year.

To get involved or learn more about how you or your dive shop can participate in 2026, visit www.icaretrashderby.com or contact I.CARE at info@icareaboutcoral.org.

Let’s keep making waves for the planet—one pound at a time.

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