Clean-up dive at Schwarzsee and Herzsee
Clean-up dive at Schwarzsee and Herzsee
Crystal-clear water, an alpine mountain backdrop and a magnificent view of the peaks – the mountain lakes in the Montafon are among the most beautiful natural gems in our region. Yet beneath the surface, there are often things lying hidden that really have no business being there. As part of a major litter-clearing campaign, we at Tauch Ab – in collaboration with PADI AWARE and with the active support of Silvretta Montafon Bergbahnen – have cleared the Schwarzsee and the Herzsee of litter.
Mountains and lakes fascinate us; they are our retreat, our playground and our home. Yet whilst hiking trails are regularly maintained, what ends up in alpine waters over the years remains hidden from most people’s view. It’s high time to change that!
Working together to protect our waters: Tauch Ab & PADI AWARE
As the Tauch Ab team, the underwater world is close to our hearts – whether it’s in the lake just round the corner or in the ocean. As part of the global PADI AWARE Foundation, we are actively committed to protecting the oceans and inland waters. True to the motto ‘Every dive can be a clean-up dive’, we set off for the high altitudes of the Silvretta Montafon to take a closer look at the Schwarzsee and the Herzsee.
A logistical masterstroke: Thank you to the mountain railways!
Anyone who has ever travelled through high mountains with a full set of diving kit – tanks, weight belts and nets – knows that logistics are half the battle here. Without the fantastic support of Silvretta Montafon Bergbahnen, this expedition simply would not have been possible.
From the straightforward arrangements right through to the seamless transport of the heavy equipment uphill – the cable car company supported us wholeheartedly right from the start. This meant we were able to focus entirely on what really mattered: diving down and getting stuck in underwater.
What the depths revealed
Equipped with nets and strong hands, our team set off into the cool waters of Schwarzsee and Herzsee. Visibility in the mountain lakes is often impressive, but it mercilessly reveals anything that has ended up in the water thoughtlessly or by accident.
As well as smaller items such as lost tins, bottles, packaging waste and bits of plastic, we also unearthed quite a few surprising finds that had sunk to the depths over the years. Every single kilo we brought to the surface was a win for nature and the unique underwater flora and fauna of these alpine waters.
A plea for our natural world
At the end of the day, we were greeted by happy faces. The outcome of the campaign shows once again just how important it is to take responsibility for our environment.
The mountain lakes of the Silvretta Montafon offer a priceless experience of nature – for walkers and nature lovers alike. Let’s work together to ensure they remain exactly that: pure, unspoilt and breathtakingly beautiful.
Thanks to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in, to PADI AWARE for the strong network behind us, and a huge thank you to Silvretta Montafon Bergbahnen for their straightforward, invaluable help with the logistics!
