On a bright September morning, the peaceful shores of St. Thomas Bay in Marsaskala were filled with energy and purpose. A total of 81 participants including students and staff from Marsaskala St Joachim School summer school and STMC, Carlo Diacono Middle and Secondary summer school came together for a beach clean-up event organised by Aquatic Resources Malta (ARM) under the coordination of Officer Kirsten Bonnici, that combined learning, action, and community spirit.
The day began with an educational session introducing the NETTAG+ project, an EU-funded initiative focused on reducing marine litter, especially from abandoned fishing gear. NETTAG+ encourages sustainable fishing practices and community involvement to protect our seas. Students learned how marine pollution affects not just wildlife, but also the health of our oceans and the people who rely on them. The session also highlighted the importance of beach clean-ups in raising awareness and promoting responsible behaviour.
After the informative talk, it was time to take action with gloves on, pickers and trash bags in hand, the students, staff and the ARM Officers, spread out along the beach. In just a few hours, they managed to collect over 50 kilograms of waste. Amongst the most common items found were cigarette butts, plastic pieces, bottle caps, food wrappers, fishing lines, small pieces of ropes and other everyday items that often end up polluting our coastlines.
This hands-on experience gave everyone a deeper understanding of how much waste ends up in the sea, whether by accident or carelessness. It also helped participants see the negative impact this pollution has on marine life and the environment. Many students were surprised at how much litter was hidden in plain sight and said they felt more motivated to take care of nature in their daily lives. By working together, these young volunteers showed that even small actions can lead to big changes.
Their enthusiasm and teamwork were a powerful reminder that protecting our planet starts with each of us.
