Project Partners
Below, you can learn more about the organizations, diving clubs, and sponsors who have helped make this project a reality.
The Ghosts of the Sea project was created in close collaboration with a number of dedicated partners and sponsors, each of whom has played a vital role. Without their commitment, expertise, and support – both above and below the surface – the project would not have been possible.
Among the collaborators are nationwide organizations and strong local forces, including volunteer diving clubs, marine environment experts, and companies focused on sustainability and circular economy. What unites them all is a shared desire to make a tangible difference for nature and to inspire others to take action.
Project Partners
Sponsors
Volunteer Diving Clubs
Project Partners
Ocean Plastic Forum
Ocean Plastic Forum (OPF) is a non-profit association with around 35 members, including interest organizations, NGOs, universities, and a range of companies, all committed to reducing plastic pollution in the oceans by removing marine plastic and transforming it into new products. Through value chain collaboration and project-based partnerships, OPF brings together businesses, researchers, public authorities, and organizations with a shared goal: to clean up the world’s oceans and promote a circular economy for ocean plastic.
In the Ghosts of the Sea project, Ocean Plastic Forum serves as project lead and acts as the daily secretariat, supporting the project’s partners and collaborators.
Learn more at www.oceanplasticforum.dk
The Danish Sport Diving Federation (DSF)
The Danish Sport Diving Federation (DSF) is Denmark’s largest organization for divers, with over 7,000 members across the country, represented by around 130 diving clubs—more than 30 of which have Øresund as their natural diving area. DSF is a special federation under the umbrella of the Danish Sports Confederation (DIF) and collaborates with a wide range of external partners, including international organizations, municipalities, museums, interest groups, local associations, and commercial partners.
DSF is a co-applicant in the Ghosts of the Sea project, and its primary role is to facilitate contact between the project and the local diving clubs.
Learn more at www.sportsdykning.dk
Clean Seabed
CleanSeabed is a team of professional divers affiliated with the leading Danish diving company Hyperbaric Consult, which primarily operates on offshore wind farms and oil rigs. At CleanSeabed, the focus is on cleaning our seas of abandoned fishing gear, with a special emphasis on ghost nets – often in difficult-to-access areas such as shipwrecks. CleanSeabed has experience retrieving ghost nets from wrecks in the Baltic Sea through the EU-funded project MARELITT, where they successfully recovered several tons of ghost nets.
Based on the mapping and documentation carried out by volunteer diving clubs, CleanSeabed is responsible for the actual retrieval of ghost nets from wrecks. Due to safety concerns, this task must be performed by certified commercial divers with the necessary skills and equipment.
Learn more at www.cleanseabed.org
UKENDT MEDIA
UKENDT MEDIA is a Copenhagen-based production agency that creates compelling content and visual storytelling through a blend of technical expertise and creative insight – ensuring that messages are not just seen, but felt. UKENDT MEDIA collaborates with artists, brands, and businesses, and specializes in film production, still photography, sound design, graphic design, animation, and user experience design.
The agency is responsible for producing the Ghosts of the Sea documentary series, which follows the project and highlights the importance of our shared marine environment. In addition, UKENDT MEDIA contributes with creative input and materials for the project’s ongoing communication efforts.
Learn more at www.ukendtmedia.com
Gittemarie Johansen
Gittemarie Johansen is a public speaker and author focused on consumer behavior and the green transition. Rooted in the zero waste movement, she also uses social media to address topics ranging from the textile industry and nature conservation to greenwashing and sustainable food systems. In 2020, she published Sustainable Badass, followed by Sustainable Gourmet in 2023. On YouTube, she shares both hands-on tips for reducing everyday impact and explainer videos offering deep dives into materials and products through her Impact Analysis series.
In the Ghosts of the Sea project, Gittemarie serves as communications and social media lead, helping to raise awareness about the initiative and shed light on the issue of ghost nets and the state of Denmark’s marine environment more broadly.
Learn more at www.gittemary.com
Funding
Sponsors
The Ghosts of the Sea project has been made possible with support from a number of foundations and contributors who all share a common vision: a cleaner marine environment. Their financial backing has enabled us to turn ideas into action – from diving operations and safety equipment to communication, documentation, and knowledge sharing.
The majority of the project’s funding was granted by the A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, whose focus on sustainable initiatives and work for the public good has provided crucial support. Additional contributions from the With Fonden and Orient’s Fonden have also played a significant role in bringing the project to life.
The total project budget amounts to DKK 5,750,000.
As part of the project’s wider activities, we have also received support from the Codan Founden for Øresundsage 2025 – events celebrating the marine environment, community spirit, and local engagement.
