A Dive Against Debris with a difference! I imagine that our data form was probably returned with the smallest total debris weight ever! But ultimately, that was not the point – over half of our total weight was made up of 252 balls of toxic and highly dangerour lead shot. We are very happy with the results, as before and after photos already show a huge difference to the site.

Working in 7mm 3-fingered mittens due to the 3°C water, using needle-nosed pliers to pick up balls that are between 1 and 3mm in diameter, proved to be slow work, as we had expected, but also strangely theraputic. Despite removing them one at a time, over a just a short period of time you were able to see the difference, which  was great.

Regrettably, the natural formation of lava rock mean that there are still lead balls stuck in holes and cevaces which we were unable to get out, but having seen how the tools worked underwater, we now have a better idea of what tools we can use in the future. The mission will therefore continue in the new year and hopefully soon we will be able to list Silfra as a debris-free site!

We would like to thank our divers who participated in the day and Þingvellir National Park for providing surface support and some much needed hot drinks and snacks. We were also grateful for the opportunty to spread the word about the dangers of using lead shot pouches and will be continueing to encourage divers to move over to coated lead blocks.

Watch this space for news of our future clean up plans for the new year, both in some of our ocean sites and hopefully, again with the support of Þingvellir National Park, we will be allowed to tackle some of the other fissures in the area.