Project Extend
Deeper. Further. More effective.
Expanding Żibel's technical diving capacity to reach ghost nets at depths that were previously inaccessible, going deeper to achieve more.
Expanding Żibel's technical diving capacity to reach ghost nets at depths that were previously inaccessible, going deeper to achieve more.
Project Extend strengthens Malta's response to ghost nets by expanding Żibel's Ghost Diving Team into deeper water. Building on four years of successful retrieval operations under Project Xibka, Extend takes the team further by certifying three divers in technical diving specialties that allow operations at depths of up to 50 metres.
With these upgrades, the team will conduct 10 targeted ghost net removal missions, retrieving and documenting a minimum of 15 ghost nets. Every net is geo-tagged, photographed, and logged with mesh size and material data before being dismantled and recycled in-house.
Project Extend runs from September 2025 to August 2026 and is funded through the Aquaculture sector via sajd.gov.mt, with project leadership by Andrew Schembri.
Targeted missions
Ghost nets minimum
Maximum operating depth
Divers to be certified
Technical Certifications
Enables divers to safely use oxygen-enriched gas mixes for extended bottom times at recreational depths.
Certifies divers for deep technical diving using trimix breathing gases, enabling safe operations down to 60 metres.
Advanced techniques and protocols for deep dive operations including buoyancy, decompression management, and emergency procedures.