Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, the third consecutive year, took part in the Historical Regatta of Venice, one of the city’s most striking and identity-defining events. Tradition, history, and sport intertwine in this spectacle that draws thousands of citizens and visitors from all over the world. Our presence at the Regatta is part of VLPF’s commitment to the protection of the marine and lagoon environment, in synergy with the European Union Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, which aims to restore the health of the seas and inland waters of the Union through research, innovation, active citizenship, and a blue circular economy.
The Historical Regatta, whose origins date back to the 13th century, still preserves the charm of the multicoloured 16th-century boats that open the parade by reenacting the welcome of Caterina Cornaro in 1489, followed by competitive races that remain, to this day, the most prestigious rowing event of the year. In this context, rich in history and meaning, VLPF sailed along the Grand Canal aboard a caorlina, a traditional Venetian boat provided by Remiera Castello, an active member of Venice’s Community of Practice within the SeaClear2.0 project, created by VLPF to promote concrete actions to combat marine litter pollution.
Waving the flag of the Mission Ocean, VLPF delivered a strong and urgent message: to protect Venice and its lagoon from marine litter pollution, particularly from single-use plastics and contaminants that undermine its health. The lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is both a natural laboratory and a privileged space in which innovative solutions for preventing and combating marine pollution can be developed.
The year 2025 also marks an important step: the Veneto Region has officially joined the European Mission Charter “Restore our Ocean and Waters”, approved by the Regional Council, thanks to the proposal of VLPF to President Zaia. As part of this commitment, the Region has allocated funding to the River Cleaning project, which VLPF will carry out together with MOLD: a system of floating barriers on the River Po, in collaboration with the European project HEUROPE INSPIRE, to intercept plastic waste in waterways, preventing it from reaching the sea. A concrete initiative that contributes to the Mission’s objectives of reducing marine litter by 50% and microplastics dispersed in the environment by 30%.
For one day, the Historical Regatta represented not only the celebration of Venetian roots and traditions, but also the opportunity to reaffirm before citizens, institutions, and an international audience that safeguarding the lagoon and its ecosystems can no longer be postponed. With the blue flag parading along the Grand Canal, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free sought to stress that Venice can and must become a global example of sustainability, going far beyond the usual rhetoric, by uniting the strength of historical memory with responsibility for the future.