Update from Asociación Ondine in the Balearics

The last few months have been a busy time for Asociación Ondine. Here are some of the things we are doing to protect the oceans and reduce single-use plastic in the Balearic islands. 

MPA and Plastic pollution expeditions

In July we hosted an international conservation expedition around the island with the help of the fantastic owners of MY Bonnie Lass and in the company of scientists from Mission Blue, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Plastic Pollution Coalition, and Drifters Project. Together we researched future Marine Protection Areas, local plastic pollution and how to deal with the marine problems around our islands.

Various smaller expeditions were conducted throughout the summer and at the end of September four local dive schools and a host of volunteers came together to help Asociación Ondine with the huge task of clearing abandoned fishing nets from the seabed around the Sa Dragonera marine reserve. James Cooke took some amazing underwater photos of the operation, including this image:

In August OceanCare visited the island together with the German rock group ITCHY. This Swiss marine conservation organisation launched the Icare campaign in September, having conducted beach and underwater clean ups with AO and filmed a video here to support the campaign. The campaign highlights the problems of plastic in the oceans and aims to create healthy habits among all of us.

Dos Manos Partners Programme

In August we developed our Partners Programme materials. This Programme aims to help schools, businesses and event organisers to reduce their single-use-plastic consumption by facilitating access to alternative solutions. The programme is something we are very excited about as we believe that working together throughout the whole of our society offers the best chance we have to eradicate single-use-plastics one day soon.

The programme has now begun a pilot phase and has received very positive feedback from international organisations, local companies and event organisers, all of whom have shown great interest in participating once the programme is launched in earnest. The Boat House, Cap Rocat and Palma College are already on board as participants in the pilot phase and are in the process of conducting plastic audits to evaluate their use of single-use plastics.

More of the Single-Use Plastic Free Drive

The Cleanwave free drinking water refilling stations began to be rolled out across Mallorca in July. Current figures show 1.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away per day in the Balearics. Cleanwave and Asociación Ondine have been working closely together to develop water solutions for event organisers and reduce single-use plastic bottle use.

We also launched our first PSA (Public Service Announcement) The Awakening. The animated film uses no dialogue, is understandable to all nationalities and tackles the effects of single use plastics when they reach the sea.

Inside Asociación Ondine

Our projects are developing at a breathless, if exciting, rate and for this reason we are happy to announce that Miguel Pozo – a marine biologist and one of our devoted MPA-volunteers ever since the foundation of AO - has now been become an official staff member of Asociación Ondine, working with us on a part time basis. We are also very proud to announce that our new website was launched during the summer with up to date information on all our projects. 

Dos Manos Beach Clean Ups

Our beach clean ups are about to get back into full swing now that the heat of the sun is less intense. Join us to kick off the new beach clean season on the 29th of October!

Please keep supporting us, and the ocean, in any way you can and let us know your ideas on how we can create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable marine environment for us all to enjoy.

Together we can move mountains – even plastic ones!

How to get involved 

BECOME A MEMBER

Your membership fee sponsors our projects and enables us to plan for the future. We offer various types of membership packages and payment plans to suit both individuals and corporations.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

We always have loads of different projects going on and couldn't manage without our pool of amazing volunteers! They help us with everything from beach cleans & school programs to webdesign, translation, fundraising and much more!

Sponsor a Project

Are you or your company interested in sponsoring one of our projects? In that case Brad is your guy! Get in touch with him directly by emailing brad@asociacionondine.org.

Clean up your beach
Take two hands and 30 minutes to clean up you world – anytime, anywhere! Clean your beach and send us photos, or join AO for our next beach clean! 

Bring Dos Manos School Programme to Your School
Our Dos Manos school programme tackles the issues of plastic pollution in a fun and interactive way by combining theory, multimedia and hands-on actions, while inspiring children and youth, as well as their teachers and parents, to strive for sustainable solutions. 

Create a Cause
Are you preparing an event or celebration and want to make a positive impact? Does your business want to engage in environmental conservation? Get in touch with us to talk about possibilities and to make your event single use plastic free! Contact us at info@asociacionondine.org.

You can also find news about forthcoming AO events on our Facebook page.