‘Everyone’s helping out’ – Steve Mercieca heads QLZH’s fifth annual seabed clean-up

CEO and Co-Founder of QuickLets and Zanzi Homes Steve Mercieca headed the QLZH Foundation’s fifth annual seabed clean-up at Fekruna Bay, Xemxija last month.

The initiative saw 3,340kg of waste being lifted from the sea, which was comprised of 269kg of metal, 425kg of plastic, 366kg of tires, 132 bottle caps, and 2,280kg of non-recoverable waste.

“In total, QLZH Foundation has done 36 clean-ups, this being the 37th one. Last year we were [at Fekruna Bay] and we picked up over two tonnes of trash from the ocean and from the bays nearby,” Mr Mercieca said.

The clean-up attracted a flurry of volunteers including 36 divers, 35 snorkellers, 12 kayakers, and helpers on land.

“When the divers were [underwater], they said that even if we did this type of clean-up every single day for a year we’re not going to manage to clean the bay,” Mr Mercieca continued.

The initiative was supported by Deloitte, Dr Juice, Dive Systems Malta, Gracy’s Brasserie, Green Skips, QuickLets, Zanzi Homes, and local long-distance swimmer Neil Agius.

Last month, Mr Agius swam 130-kilometres from Linosa, Italy to Malta over the span of three days in a bid to raise awareness about plastic waste in the sea. In doing so, he also set a new world record for the longest open water swim.