With team work we can all make the wrecks of Scapa important for the next 100 years
What’s the big idea?
Scapa Flow boasts some of the best wrecks in the world. The centenary of the scuttling, in 2019, is fast approaching and we have a plan to keep the flow in the same pristine condition that nature intended. In 2015 we teamed up with our Ghostfishing friends for our first clear up and since then they have returned each year to continue the fight against marine litter! A significant amount of litter, including over 2km of rope, lost fishing gear, a multitude of different plastics and even a vacuum cleaner has been removed over the years. We want to continue with cleaning up Scapa and plans for 2018 are already being put into motion.....
The aim is simple and picking up litter is straightforward. Our strength, we hope, is to bring a community together to work together, create tools for solutions and then make a difference. With this team work we can all make the wrecks of Scapa important for the next 100 years too!
What will we clean up?
There are 3 main types of litter having an impact on the wrecks and the visiting divers.
- Firstly, there are all the old shots, ropes and weights using by the divers in their exploration that for various reason have been cut or lost but yet remain as a hazard or unsightly mess.
- Secondly a rag tag collection of various types of fishing gear has been lost on the wreck and again forms a hazard or continues to Ghostfish.
- Lastly, there is an accumulation of unsightly litter that just should be removed.

How will we clean it up?

Who can get involved?

Why clear up Scapa Flow?
Science I hear you say?
We understand that the wrecks have become a stable habitat for a wealth of animals that couldn't live there without them. We are currently working with Heriot Watt Orkney campus to measure the impact ghost gear may be having on animals. By collecting data from each year of ghost fishing we create a knowledge base that may be able to help us understand how and why litter is becoming entangled on wrecks, and if there is anything we can do to help.