Working Towards a Plastic-Free Mediterranean Sea
7 October 2025. From 18:00 To 19:30 | Conference | English | Spanish | Palau Macaya, Barcelona
Plastic pollution in the oceans is one of the major crises of the Anthropocene. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the weight of all the plastics in the oceans will exceed that of fish by 2050. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the areas most affected by this phenomenon. Although it represents only 1% of the world’s oceans, it accumulates 7% of all microplastics polluting the seas. Today, 0.57 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the Mediterranean each year, and according to WWF estimates, this amount will quadruple by 2050. Biodiversity is severely impacted, and no species is spared from toxic plastic contamination, which in turn affects human health.
While tourism is the main source of plastic pollution (increasing by up to 40% during the summer), the fishing sector also contributes to the problem, particularly through fishing gear abandoned at sea. Abandoned plastic fishing nets continue to trap marine fauna and flora (“ghost fishing”) and are considered the silent killers of the Mediterranean.
In this context, organisations are advocating for a more sustainable marine ecosystem, notably by addressing marine pollution with the involvement of the fishing sector. One such example is Enaleia, founded in Greece by Lefteris Arapakis, and now operating in several Mediterranean countries. The NGO engages more than 3,000 fishers in the collection of marine plastic and promotes circular economy models.
Ahmed Yassin is leading Enaleia’s efforts in Egypt toward a plastic-free Mediterranean. Currently the NGO’s Egypt Country Manager, his journey began with co-founding Banlastic Egypt — one of the country’s first initiatives to tackle single-use plastics through public campaigns and education. Over the years, he has combined grassroots mobilisation with regional advocacy, contributing to platforms such as the EU Climate Pact and Young Mediterranean Voices to advance climate and ocean action across the region.
Second session of the Med Dialogues + 2030 5th edition.
At the Palau Macaya, Pg. de Sant Joan, 108, Barcelona.
Free entrance with prior registration.
*Ahmed Yassin’s photo by the Union for the Mediterranean.
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