Healthy Seas and Arena: Olympic Athletes Tackle Marine Litter in 2024
A powerful collaboration to clean our oceans, inspire action, and drive sustainability in sports
Three Countries, Three Champions, One Mission
In 2024, Arena joined forces with Healthy Seas for an extraordinary initiative to combat marine litter, bringing together Olympic athletes and their global audience. From the shores of Germany to Sicily’s underwater world, and across to the USA, three clean-up missions showcased the powerful intersection of sports and environmental stewardship.
Led by Olympic champions Florian Wellbrock, Gregorio Paltrinieri, and Drew Kibler, these missions exemplified how sport can inspire action and amplify awareness about the threats facing our oceans.
Impact Beyond Numbers: A Collective Effort
The final video from this collaboration reflects the remarkable results achieved: 348.5 square meters of discarded fishing nets were collected, equivalent to 28% of an Olympic-size swimming pool or 28 parking spaces.
While 260 kilograms might not seem alarming, the true danger lies in the nets’ size and invisibility in the water. These “curtains of death” silently trap marine life, devastating biodiversity. By focusing on square meters, we emphasize the spatial impact and the urgency of tackling this threat.
Through their partnership, Arena and Healthy Seas demonstrated that the fight against marine litter is not just about cleanup—it’s about education and prevention. The visibility of this initiative, amplified by Arena’s ambassadors and their audience, plays a crucial role in sparking conversations and action.
From Ocean Waste to Sustainable Products
The fishing nets recovered during these missions don’t just disappear—they’re given a second life. Nets suitable for recycling are sent to Aquafil, a long-standing partner of Healthy Seas, where they are regenerated into ECONYL® nylon yarn. This material is used to create new products, including the Powerskin ST NEXT swimwear line by Arena. Through this process, and with all our partners, it is possible to turn harmful marine waste into high-performance, sustainable swimwear that empowers athletes and protects the planet.
Sport as a Catalyst for Conservation
Sport is deeply intertwined with nature. Athletes and outdoor enthusiasts depend on pristine environments to practice and thrive in their disciplines. Yet, the stark reality of a warming climate, polluted oceans, and degraded ecosystems poses a challenge.
- Can we enjoy open water swimming in seas choked with trash?
- Can we ski on snowless mountains in a warming climate?
- Can we relax on coastlines threatened by acidifying and unpredictable seas?
The answers to these questions are the driving force behind initiatives like this one. Athletes, as ambassadors for nature, have a unique ability to inspire communities toward action and sustainability.
Raising Awareness with Every Stroke
The collaboration with Arena has shown that environmental action doesn’t just protect ecosystems—it builds a stronger, more connected sports community. By using their platforms to highlight the beauty of the ocean and the danger of marine litter, Arena’s ambassadors reached audiences far beyond traditional environmental campaigns.
The project also served as a reminder of how industries, from sportswear to tourism, depend on healthy ecosystems. Protecting these environments is not just a moral imperative but also a business necessity.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Healthy Seas’ partnership with Arena highlights the incredible potential for brands to align their sustainability strategies with impactful environmental action. Together, we can turn the tide against marine litter and safeguard our planet for future generations.
For businesses seeking to make a meaningful impact, Healthy Seas offers a collaborative platform to take action—whether through cleanups, awareness campaigns, or innovative solutions like recycling ghost nets into sustainable products.
Watch the Journey
Experience the highlights of our 2024 collaboration in the final video, now available on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Together, let’s ensure that our oceans remain a source of inspiration, beauty, and life for athletes and nature lovers alike.
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