Marina Port de Mallorca, first marina to implement the ‘Turbino' device

Marina Port de Mallorca is once again involved in one of the most important scientific campaigns in the Mediterranean. The organization Expédition MED has released the results of its VigiePlastic Méditerranée 2024 campaign.

The expedition, which covered over 1,000 nautical miles and carried out 46 sampling stations, detected more than 2 million plastic fragments per square kilometer in areas between Corsica and the island of Capraia. These figures even surpass those recorded in the North Pacific and double the data observed in 2019.

The study, conducted aboard the scientific sailing vessel Le Bonita, combined manta net sampling, real-time analysis, and collaboration with the French laboratory QUALYSE to study the finer fraction of microplastics. The goal: to identify accumulation zones, understand their composition, and advance environmental prevention and management policies.

These findings hit close to home for Marina Port de Mallorca, as the marina actively collaborated during the preparatory phase of the expedition by providing a berth for the Recyclamer association’s vessel —an entity linked to Expédition MED— allowing it to carry out sampling tasks, technological tests, and environmental education in the port of Palma. This collaboration was announced in 2024 and is part of the marina’s strong commitment to marine research and conservation.

The results of the study conducted in waters near Marina Port de Mallorca have been very encouraging compared to other Mediterranean areas. While regions like Corsica and Capraia recorded microplastic concentrations of up to 4.2 and 2.44 particles per minute respectively, the figure near Marina Port de Mallorca was significantly lower, indicating a better state of the local waters. Nevertheless, these figures remind us that microplastic pollution remains a real threat, and that we must stay vigilant and continue taking concrete action to keep improving the quality of the marine environment.

Among the tests conducted, the highlight was the trial of the “Turbino” device —an innovative system designed to vacuum up plastic waste deposited on the seabed. Marina Port de Mallorca was the first marina where this system was put into operation, reaffirming its commitment to pioneering technological solutions in the fight against marine pollution.

One of the standout participants in the campaign was Alan D’Alfonso Peral, founder of Recyclamer, who stated:

“The Mediterranean is a giant bathtub with no drain. Without collaboration between science, ports, and citizens, there will be no real solutions. Initiatives like that of Marina Port de Mallorca, which actively supports this kind of research, are what truly make a difference in advancing toward effective solutions.”