By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) aims to develop a full-scale Clean Up Svalbard project in conjunction with cruise operators Oceanwide Expeditions and G-Adventures.
Following a recent feasibility study, the AECO has applied to the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund for financial assistance to establish a project to clean the beaches of the Norwegian archipelago. This will help to remove the large amounts of waste generated by the local fishing industry – such as nets, trawl balls and plastic – minimising the danger this garbage poses for the environment and wildlife.
If the funding is granted, Oceanwide Expeditions and G-Adventures will each invite passengers to help clean the beaches on a discounted cruise – one in 2015 and one in 2016. During each cruise, all passengers will spend every day cleaning the beaches, which has the potential to remove many tonnes of garbage.
In the past, both Oceanwide Expeditions and the governor of Svalbard have carried out several initiatives to improve the situation in the archipelago. Ten years ago, Oceanwide Expeditions, which has a long history of cruising in Svalbard, proposed a clean-up project to the governor. Since then, the governor and the expedition cruise industry in Svalbard have been working in cooperation to continue the clean-up project.
While Svalbard’s governor is responsible for the overhead costs and garbage, each cruise operator invites their passengers to contribute to the project during onshore excursions. In addition, Svalbard’s governor previously organised and funded a week-long cruise trip for around 24 locals, which involved beach-cleaning activities.
“This is a very small activity of the cruise itinerary, and since cruise operators often return to the same beaches, the amount of garbage collected by each passenger may be small,” said the AECO in a press release. “Over the years, however, the amount has become significant.”