MAPFRE Group and Malta Skin Divers Club in underwater clean up initiative

One skip load of rubbish was collected from under sea in under three hours, in the third edition of the underwater clean up held by The Malta Skin Divers Club (MSDC) in collaboration with MAPFRE Middlesea and MAPFRE MSV Life.

A number of employees from both companies as well as members of the MSDC participated in the event, which was held on 25 May at Gilieru Marina. The event aimed at raising awareness about the negative effects of littering marine ecosystems and habitats.

The initiative forms part of the MAPFRE Volunteering Programme, where employees are encouraged to give back to the community by volunteering some of their time in such activities.

“It is sad to see what lies beneath the clear waters, and what we are doing to marine life. Each year, we are surprised by the amount of rubbish collected from under the sea. We need to send out a clear message – that we are responsible for the world around us,” Felipe Navarro, CEO at MAPFRE Middlesea, said.

The Malta Skin Divers Club, formed in 1970 works to create awareness on the importance of sustainable fishing and to promote safety while spearfishing and freediving. Throughout the year, it organizes a number of events, including informative sessions for beginners to freediving and spearfishing, underwater clean ups and spearfishing tournaments.

The club has evolved greatly in the past years, and is in the final stages of being registered with Sports Malta as well as with the council for Voluntary Organisations. MSDC is a member of the Federation of Underwater Activities Malta and Federazzjoni Sajjieda Dilettanti.