For Divers
The diving clubs are a central part of Ghosts of the Sea. As locals, the divers know the shipwrecks and marine areas of Øresund better than anyone, and their efforts are crucial for mapping and documenting ghost nets.
Local diving clubs take action against ghost nets in Øresund
Diving clubs on Sjælland play a central role in Ghosts of the Sea, with volunteer divers helping to map and document ghost nets on shipwrecks in Øresund. 14 clubs have already agreed to contribute to the project.
Each diving club is assigned a search area in the Øresund, which they will survey for ghost nets over the course of a year. The data collected by these volunteers lays the groundwork for professional divers to safely and efficiently remove the nets at a later stage.
© Vedbæk Sportsdykkerklub
How the Diving Clubs Contribute
Mapping Ghost Nets and Wrecks: Divers identify and document ghost nets in their local areas.
Contributing to a Shared Database: Observations and findings are compiled to give the project a clear overview of where cleanup efforts are needed.
Engaging in Outreach: Some clubs choose to take part in documentary filming or share their underwater footage with the project to help raise awareness.
Limfjordsrådets Reporting Tool
Are you reporting a ghost net finding as part of your participation in Ghosts of the Sea through your diving club? Go directly to Limfjordsrådets reporting tool here.
The Three Pillars
The removal of ghost nets in the Øresund is driven by three interconnected actors: the local diving clubs, the Danish Sport Diving Federation, and CleanSeabed.
The Diving Clubs
The diving clubs map and document ghost nets in Øresund to ensure their safe and efficient removal. Their local knowledge and dedicated efforts are crucial for identifying the nets and laying a strong foundation for the professional cleanup that follows.
The Danish Sports Diving Federation
The Danish Sport Diving Federation (DSF) is Denmark’s largest organization for divers. As a co-owner of the project, DSF facilitates collaboration between the project team and the diving clubs. In addition, DSF supports the participating clubs and helps foster connections between them.
Clean Seabed
CleanSeabed is an experienced diving company specializing in environmental cleanup and underwater operations, with expertise in the safe removal of ghost nets and underwater archaeological excavations. CleanSeabed is responsible for the professional removal of ghost nets, carried out by certified commercial divers who ensure a safe and careful cleanup process.
Safety Above All
Why Can’t the Diving Clubs Remove the Ghost Nets?
Diving clubs play a vital role in Ghosts of the Sea by mapping and documenting ghost nets—but the actual removal is carried out by professional divers. This is primarily due to safety concerns and regulations governing underwater work.
Ghost nets are often entangled in shipwrecks or located at significant depths, where specialized equipment and commercial diving certification are required for safe removal. Cutting into old nets carries a serious risk of entanglement, which can be life-threatening for divers. The Danish Maritime Authority has issued a ruling stating that volunteer recreational divers are not permitted to use tools, lifting equipment, or similar devices to remove waste from harbors, beaches, or coastal waters.
Professional divers are trained to handle machinery and equipment safely and are able to conduct cleanups in a way that minimizes impact on the marine environment.
Still, the contribution of the diving clubs is essential. They know the local waters better than anyone and provide critical information that makes cleanup efforts more targeted and effective. Without their work, locating and removing ghost nets would be far more difficult.
