The Mediterranean is witnessing its biodiversity collapse at an alarming rate. In response to this urgent situation, Swiss athlete Noam Yaron is preparing to make a historic swim across the sea to raise awareness about its fragility.
The Mediterranean Sea is facing a major environmental crisis. Even Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are supposed to be sanctuaries for wildlife and flora, are under significant human pressure.
The Mediterranean – A Sea to Protect
The Mediterranean basin, which has seen the rise of many civilizations and continues to be a popular tourist destination, is now severely affected by destructive economic development and the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, ocean acidification, habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution directly threaten marine ecosystems.
Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in the sea, suffocating marine life and contaminating food chains. Overfishing has led to the collapse of fish stocks, disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems. Coastal areas, highly urbanized and industrialized, are under increasing pressure, leading to the destruction of mangroves, seagrass meadows, and reefs, which play a crucial role in protecting coastlines and maintaining biodiversity.
Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean: Not Truly Protected…
To address this situation, initiatives like the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been implemented. These zones are meant to allow the regeneration of marine ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. The Pelagos Sanctuary, spanning a vast area between France, Italy, and Monaco, is one of the most iconic examples of these MPAs. It is home to a great diversity of marine mammals, such as cetaceans, dolphins, whales, and monk seals.
However, the effectiveness of MPAs is limited by a lack of resources, insufficient control over human activities, and poor coordination among stakeholders. Furthermore, existing MPAs cover only a small part of the Mediterranean. It is therefore urgent to expand the network of MPAs and strengthen their management to ensure real protection of marine biodiversity.
Noam Yaron: Using Sport to Raise Awareness
In this context, Noam Yaron, a Swiss endurance swimmer, decided to take action. Passionate about open-water swimming, Noam was initially not an avid environmental advocate.
« It was during a crossing of Lake Geneva, a childhood dream come true, that I became aware of the extent of pollution. I was shocked to discover the presence of microplastics and other pollutants… My research led me to the conclusion that this problem concerns the entire planet, and I decided to act! » – Noam Yaron
To raise awareness, he decided to use his image and feats in the service of ocean protection. His goal is to better inform the public about ecosystems and their challenges, putting pressure on policymakers to take concrete action for the environment.
A New Challenge Ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference
In June 2025, Noam will attempt to swim across the Pelagos Sanctuary, approximately 180 kilometers between Calvi and Monaco. The first attempt, in 2024, had to be interrupted due to unfavorable weather conditions. Despite these challenges, Noam is determined to rise to the occasion. This extraordinary crossing, which is expected to last several days and nights, aims to raise public awareness of the need to protect the Mediterranean.
« The United Nations Ocean Conference in June next year in Nice represents a unique opportunity to mobilize states to make strong commitments for the preservation of the Ocean. » – Noam Yaron
His goals are ambitious: to urge governments to create 10% of truly protected marine areas by 2030, where industrial fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, would be banned, and to reduce the speed of ships in these spaces.
By taking on this extraordinary athletic challenge, Noam Yaron hopes to inspire each of us to adopt more environmentally respectful behaviors. Because protecting the Mediterranean is everyone’s responsibility. By reducing our plastic consumption, opting for sustainably sourced seafood, and supporting nature conservation initiatives, we can help preserve this gem for future generations.
The seas and oceans are not just places for beautiful voyages… They are crucial for our survival and provide much of the oxygen we breathe. It is essential to stay hopeful and take action, even modestly, and as Noam says: « It’s never too late to act for the environment! »
Source: TV 5 Monde
