SKOPSKO and Amfora have cleared Lake Ohrid of “ghost nets.” The focus of the operation, which took place from October 1st to 4th in collaboration with the diving club “Amfora,” was removing abandoned fishing nets (known as “ghost nets”) from four key locations on the lake’s bottom. The results of the second diving action, showing a total of 3,856 meters of net being removed from the lake’s bottom, were presented at the Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid. The action involved 4 divers in 98 dives, totaling 73 hours and 38 minutes of dive time.

The second diving cleanup action of Lake Ohrid was organized by SKOPSKO as part of the “Our Pride. Our Responsibility.” platform.

“The success of this action confirms our ongoing commitment to protecting nature. These fishing nets have accumulated on the lake’s bottom over the years, posing a threat to the biodiversity and protected species living in this unique natural treasure. Through the “Our Pride. Our Responsibility.” platform, SKOPSKO aims to make significant changes in how we care for our natural resources. Lake Ohrid is our national treasure, and our goal is to keep it clean and safe for future generations,” said Marta Zavkova, Senior Brand Manager for SKOPSKO at Pivara Skopje.

Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets that continue to catch fish, birds, and other organisms, representing a significant threat to the fragile ecosystems of Lake Ohrid. Regular cleanup actions are essential to prevent the accumulation of ghost nets. If these nets are not removed regularly, the consequences can be severe, leading to a decline in fish populations and causing long-term damage to biodiversity and the local economy.

Through this action, SKOPSKO and Amfora demonstrated their shared commitment to preserving Macedonia’s natural heritage.

“We are proud to be part of this initiative aimed at preserving Lake Ohrid and its endemic species. Together, we managed to remove a significant portion of the ghost nets that threatened the lake’s wildlife. This is an important step toward restoring the underwater ecosystem,” said Jovan Sekuloski from the diving club Amfora.

This initiative unites efforts for socially responsible action and environmental protection and fully supports Pivara Skopje’s commitments to sustainable development within the “World Without Waste” platform as well as net zero emissions by 2040.

As a future-oriented company, Pivara Skopje, through the SKOPSKO “Our Pride. Our Responsibility.” platform, will continue to act in the domain of environmental protection and will unite citizens, organizations, and institutions that share the same values and commitments to sustainable development, with the ultimate goal of raising collective awareness and moving forward toward a sustainable society.