Marine clean-up drive steams ahead

Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Emirates Diving Association, is organising Clean-Up Arabia 2007.

It is an annual campaign that mobilises enthusiastic volunteers to clean up marine debris from popular dive sites and beaches of the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

This is the 12th year that the UAE is participating in this event, which mobilises more than 40 million volunteers from more than 100 countries each year to make their local environment and the world in general a cleaner and healthier place to live in.

"You Can Make a Difference" is the slogan this year, which was launched from Dibba in Fujairah on November 9 within an aim to clean the marine environment, as well as directing people towards positive attitudes in maintaining a clean and sound environment by practice and participation.

In Abu Dhabi, more than 200 volunteers including divers and American Community Girl Scout Troops will gather tomorrow (November 17) to clean up the waters of Ras Al Akdhar area. The event will begin at 8:00 am and is expected to finish at around 1:00 pm.

EDA will record the quantity and types of garbage collected by individual groups to assess the pollution. Where possible, the collected garbage will be recycled. As part of its longer-term mission, EDA seeks to campaign for regulations that stop pollution.

Others playing an important role in this event are Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports, GASCO, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Marine Police and Rescue Department.

Educating fishermen

Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD said: "This drive is in line with EAD's mission to protect the environment and spread awareness in the community. People need to know more about the hazards of pollution in marine habitats and biological resources."

He added that debris pose a threat to human health and the marine environment. Al Mansouri highlighted the need to educate fishermen on the importance of protecting the marine environment and added that EAD is preparing a special awareness programme for them.

Ebrahim Al Zu'bi, Environmental Advisor at EDA said, "The annual Clean-Up Arabia is an ideal opportunity to spread awareness concerning our marine environment. It provides people with a sense of purpose and achievement that they can make a difference."

This event is being organised in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme - Regional Office of West Asia /UNEP - ROWA and backed by both the Australian 'Clean Up the World' campaign and the USA-based International Coastal Cleanup and PADI Project E.A.W.A.R.E.