Divers at the Port of Quebec remove enormous amount of underwater waste

Some 40 divers from the Aquarium du Québec took part in a water cleanup operation at the Port of Quebec, removing more than 340 kilograms (750 pounds) of waste, including rusty bicycles, chairs, and a large quantity of cigarette butts.

Organized in collaboration with the Mission 1000 Tonnes and Stratégies Saint-Laurent organizations, the initiative is part of a large-scale effort to clean the St. Lawrence River and its shores. Minimal underwater visibility made the task difficult for the divers, but their perseverance led to the removal of numerous waste items, including some that had been submerged for many years.

Mission 1000 Tonnes regularly organizes similar cleanup activities along the river to protect underwater habitat and to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving these ecosystems. This expedition lasted 15 days in August and involved several Quebec cities, including Montreal, Rimouski, Sorel-Tracy and Sept-Îles.