MSC Foundation and Marevivo host high-profile conference in Genoa addressing the destructive impact of ghost nets

The MSC Foundation joined forces with Marevivo’s Liguria delegation in Genoa to host the ONLY ONE Conference, held as part of the Ocean Race Genova Grand Finale at the MSC Foundation Stand in the Ocean Live Park on Friday the 30th of June 2023.

Focused exclusively on the pressing issue of abandoned fishing nets known as "ghost nets", the conference aimed to explore their destructive impacts on the marine environment and the actions that can be taken to address them. It thus brought renowned experts, leading professionals and passionately concerned members of the public together to exchange knowledge and explore solutions, fostering a deeper understanding of this growing problem to inspire concrete individual and collective action.

Giovanni Lanza De Cristoforis, Head of Marevivo Liguria, and Stefano Sibona, Head of Marevivo Liguria’s Scuba Division, delivered informative presentations on the subject, shedding light on ghost nets’ significant threats to marine life and ecosystems.

Diverse actions to combat these threats were presented, ranging from the Marevivo Scuba Division's successful efforts to recover ghost nets on the Isola delle Femmine in northwestern Sicily to its intervention on a branch of black coral on the wreck of the Haven oil tanker in Arenzano. The crucial role of education in schools and universities was also highlighted, with its power to build awareness and foster a sense of active responsibility for the oceans.

Rosalba Giugni, Founder and President of Marevivo, and Carmen Di Penta, General Director of Marevivo, likewise played leading roles, sharing their valuable insights on marine conservation.

The MSC Foundation would like to thank all the participants, speakers and organising institutions for their valuable contributions to the ONLY ONE Conference. We look forward to continuing our work together to combat the impact of ghost nets and protect our marine ecosystems.

The ONLY ONE Conference was an important part of the MSC Foundation’s active participation in the Ocean Race Genova Grand Finale, expressing its commitment to raising ocean awareness and driving marine conservation action.