Pelican Fleets in Defense of Our Coasts

Every year, the Pelican fleet is present not only in the Valencian Community, but also in the port of Malaga, Barcelona and Tarragona. Promoted by the Marine Debris Collection Initiative, these vessels work annually with the support of the Department of the Environment.

Main Objective

Its main mission is to ensure the preservation and good condition of our beaches in various regions of Spain.

Types of Waste Collected

They are geared towards the collection of a variety of debris, from algae to jellyfish, including other plant debris. Occasionally, they also remove tar and hydrocarbon residues.

Context and Action Zones

Floating debris is more common in coastal regions with high tourist activity. Its presence is notorious in areas of navigation and water sports, which motivates the implementation and expansion of these campaigns in places such as the Valencian Community, Malaga, Barcelona and Tarragona.

Pelican Boat Diversity

Pelican vessels are categorized into two types. The larger ones operate on beaches and in ports, specializing in combating marine pollution. In contrast, the more compact ones, known as “Minipelican”, operate in confined spaces and shallow waters.

Campaign Impact

Since its implementation in 1996, an annual average of 578 cubic meters of waste has been removed. In total, 8,092 cubic meters of waste have been collected, contributing significantly to reducing marine pollution.

Citizen Awareness and Responsibility

Beyond the work of the Pelican fleets, citizen and corporate engagement is essential to ensure the purity of our waters.