Daring Swim in Contaminated Seas: Venture of a Swiss Athlete
In the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, a daring attempt was made by 28-year-old Swiss athlete Noam Yarom. On Monday, August 11th, he embarked on a mission to swim 180 km from Calvi, Haute-Corse, with Monaco as his destination.
Despite the challenging conditions, Yarom took advantage of the calm weather, using a boat and a water line for guidance. However, his journey was not without its trials. He was at the mercy of the currents, and the swim had to be abandoned four kilometers short of the destination due to exhaustion.
Yarom's attempt drew attention to the pollution challenges facing the Mediterranean Sea. He has been vocal about the issue, stating that the sea is one of the most polluted in the world. His swim was not just a physical feat, but also a call to action, urging for more support and rescue efforts for the sea.
Yarom's voice joins a chorus of initiatives aimed at cleaning up and reducing pollution in the Mediterranean. Egypt, for instance, has a 2025 national plan that includes shoreline protection, plastic pollution fees, and environmental restoration projects involving fishermen along the Mediterranean coast.
The European Union, through regulations like the EU Packaging Regulation, is also playing a significant role in reducing pollution at its source. Regional projects, such as Blue Halkidiki 2025 in Greece, are combining seabed and coastal cleanups to restore marine environments.
At the international level, over 175 countries, including Mediterranean nations, are actively engaged in finalizing a global legally binding plastic treaty expected to significantly curb marine plastic pollution. Organizations like The Ocean Cleanup have also been removing millions of kilograms of marine trash globally, including from regions connected to the Mediterranean.
While Yarom's swim did not result in reaching land, it has undoubtedly raised awareness about the urgent need for action to protect the Mediterranean Sea. As efforts continue to clean up and reduce pollution in the region, Yarom's swim serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges ahead and the importance of collective action.
[1] Egypt’s 2025 national plan: https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/103611/Egypt-launches-national-plan-to-protect-Mediterranean-coast [2] EU Packaging Regulation: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/packaging/index_en.htm [3] Blue Halkidiki 2025: https://www.bluehalkidiki.org/ [4] Global legally binding plastic treaty: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ocean/plastic-pollution/ [5] The Ocean Cleanup: https://www.theoceancleanup.com/
Science has highlighted the pollution challenges in the Mediterranean, with environmental issues being a significant concern. The sports and physical achievements of athletes like Noam Yarom, who have drawn attention to these problems, often serve as a catalyst for scientific and environmental initiatives aimed at cleaning up and reducing pollution in the region, such as Egypt's 2025 national plan, EU Packaging Regulation, Blue Halkidiki 2025 in Greece, the global legally binding plastic treaty, and organizations like The Ocean Cleanup.
