We all like to get wavy from time to time, but the latest White Isle announcement actually relates to the sea! Huge news for Ibiza as the first ever solar powered ‘Ocean Clean Up Catamaran’ is due to be launched.
With ongoing global pressure for every country to conform to a standard of saving our planet, Ibiza has a dedicated a target to becoming free from single use plastic by 2023, and in 2019 we see the launch of one of the world’s first Solar Powered Ocean Clean Up Catamarans launching on the island. Carried out by iBi Foundation, they collaborated with the islands first and only solar powered boat, La Bella Verde, to further develop a unique ocean clean up system that will collect and remove plastics from the ocean surrounding Ibiza and the Balearic Islands.
The system created by iBi free life is a robust structure that is paired with an 100% emission free eco boat, which is powered only be the wind and sun. They begin the cleaning of the oceans across Ibiza by the end of August. The system itself covers an area of 29.632 M2 every hour, a total of 4.23 football fields whilst filtering 11.852 M3 during that period. The filters work 0.5m below the surface, collecting plastic from 2 cm and up to a maximum of the entire boats width, this ensures that larger debris such as industrial plastic waste can also be collected.
The idea was initially raised by Ed en Joke Pronke after he found a sea turtle caught in plastic and unable to swim in the open sea off the ibiza coastline. From that moment on, his not for profit iBi Foundation has been collecting plastics across ibiza one beach at at time, by the simple means of a small scoop net but actively making a mark.
Ed Comments “Although we were making an impact, it was slow, with tourism growing in Ibiza in the summer months it was difficult to keep up on top of all the waste. We obviously thought this was taking too long and we started to think about a quicker and more efficiënt way to do this and then we met La Bella Verde and their Solar Powered Catamarans!”
iBi Foundation and La Bella Verde are also working very closely with Plastic Free Ibiza, Ibiza Preservation Fund, Noctiluca Asociación and World Cleanup Day. Working together collectively to achieve the islands goal to be free from single use plastic by 2023.
Plans are already in development, once the system is fully operational and working effectively, to further expand the fleet of catamarans to keep the local oceans around the Balearic islands as clean as possible for the long term, turning into a possibility of expansion to other additional tourist locations that are heavily damaged by waste.
They are currently requesting volunteers on the island to help support the project in it’s application through sailing and clearing the plastic waste. In association with The Ibiza Preservation Foundation and Plastic Free Ibiza this initiative is leading the way through this positive action to ensure a sustainable program that can be actively achieved in Ibiza. The boats launch is set for the end of August 2019 and is already gaining widespread support.
Posidonia and Ibiza Sea Life
Ibiza is one of the few locations where Posidonia oceanica (commonly known as Neptune grass or Mediterranean tapeweed) exists. This is a rare seagrass species that is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It forms large underwater meadows that play an important part for the local ecosystem encouraging its habitat. This is known to be one of the oldest and longest clonal colonies on Earth, dating as far back as 100,000 years. This is an instantly recognisable reason why the land between Ses Salnas and Formentera were declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1999.
Posidonia oceanica is a higher plant species that differs greatly from algae, with leaves, stalks and roots as well as flowers and fruit. Its flowers indicate that this plant was once a land plant that has adapted to life underwater, where the flowers do not need to attract insects for pollination or pollen transportation. They are particularly known for maintaining the balance of sediments by forming barrier reefs, maintaining the coastline and protecting beaches from erosion.
The Green Experience – Clean, Green & Silent
La Bella Verde, Ibiza’s first and only solar powered catamaran experience, last year announced the introduction and launch of two new green boats to its eco-friendly fleet, enabling more visitors to minimise their carbon footprint while exploring some of the most beautiful and secluded coves in the Balearic coastline. Ocean Conservation lies at the very heart of what La Bella Verde do and with their Charity Foundation, 1% of every eco charter is donated to protect the biodiversity at Salinas Natural Park, including protecting the Posidonia and supporting beach cleans through activism, education and action.
La Bella Verde is entirely powered by wind and solar energy, providing the ultimate eco experience in Ibiza. Starting out by converting fuel based boats to solar powered and electric engines they are considered a local asset and ambassador to the islands protected natural park, which is the home to a diverse ecosystem that stretches from the South East Ibiza to Formentera.
A Green Boating Movement
Founded with a vision to transform the boating industry and create a movement to help protect aquatic life whilst supporting marine preservation, La Bella Verde plans to evolve their identity internationally, inspiring others to adopt a significant sustainable approach. Through the launch of an innovative boat building service this year, companies and individuals from around the world will be able to purchase a custom built, carbon-neutral catamaran and continue to expand conscious endeavours in new territories. The La Bella Verde Foundation will establish itself at each new location, continuing to preserve and protect our oceans on an international level.
About La Bella Verde
Starting with one catamaran in 2014, the pioneering eco-charter company was founded by a collective of close friends, Charlie Priestley, Alastair Glover-Main and Maarten Bernhart with a dream of offering a eco-boating experience and option in the Balearics.
Since the company’s first inception, the team has now transformed traditional boats into eco-friendly modes of transportation, with the use of electric engines and advanced solar panels. This autumn, the team will launch a completely new customisable solar catamaran building service in collaboration with the industry’s most reputed international boat builders.
The name La Bella Verde (The Beautiful Green) is an icon of what the founders have sought to create since the start – an intimate, low-impact experience which aims to promote positive change in the wider boating industry internationally.
More Info:
https://ibifoundation.nl
https://www.labellaverde.org
Media Enquiries:
The Everyday Agency, Sunita Dhaliwal
[email protected]
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