The Provincial Council of Guipuzcoa and the San Sebastian Aquarium have announced their adhesion to the Ulysses Data For Science Project, a pioneering initiative that fights against plastic pollution in estuaries, seas and oceans. This project, launched in 2020, has a scientific and collaborative approach that seeks to generate accurate data to develop mitigation strategies, especially in the ecosystem of the Bay of Biscay, with a projected national and international impact.

During the event, held in the Auditorium of the San Sebastian Aquarium, participants highlighted the importance of combining science, education and the circular economy to tackle the problem of plastics in the marine environment. The president of the Aquarium, José Ignacio Espel, stressed the role of education as a tool to inspire future generations to protect the environment. For his part, the Deputy for Sustainability of Guipuzcoa, José Ignacio Asensio, stressed that joining the project reinforces the efforts of the Provincial Council in previous initiatives, such as beach management and the reduction of marine litter. Representatives from AZTI and the Data For Science Foundation also took part in the event, emphasising the central role of scientific research and collaboration between different actors to guarantee the success of the project.

The Ulysses Project includes different initiatives that address the plastic problem from various perspectives: the mapping of accumulations in the sea and their geolocation through satellites, the study of plastic flows from rivers to the ocean, educational activities and the promotion of the circular economy based on the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover). This holistic approach seeks to involve the whole of society in solving a global problem, combining local action with international ambition.