Taranto funds €500,000 Mar Piccolo cleanup ahead of 2026 Mediterranean Games

The Taranto municipal authority approved a €500,000 intervention to remove wrecks, waste and other polluting materials from the Mar Piccolo sea area. The project, proposed by extraordinary commissioner Vito Felice Uricchio, will target coastlines, beaches and the seabed, aiming to eliminate abandoned vehicles, tires, fishing gear, ship propellers and other debris that have accumulated over years.

The cleanup is being rushed to coincide with the 2026 Mediterranean Games, for which Mar Piccolo will serve as a prominent venue. Officials say the removal work is essential for environmental protection, the city's image and the economic boost expected from the games, including tourism and the local mussel‑farming sector.

Implementation will proceed through a contract between the commissioner and the municipality after resource re‑programming is completed. The measure is presented as a first step toward a broader restoration of the marine area.