ABU DHABI - Intensive campaigns to clean up Abu Dhabi beaches along the coastline on the Arabian Gulf were launched Saturday by the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD).
These campaigns are part of the Abu Dhabi Government policy to keep Abu Dhabi’s beaches safe and clean as well as protect the environment and marine ecosystem.
More than 250 eager volunteers from EAD, New Medical Center (NMC), UAE Exchange, ETA (Emirates Technical Associates) and other private and government sectors united and others joined hands on the first clean-up campaign which covered Mussafah channel.
Mussafah Industrial Area shore line had one of the worst spots in terms of the amount of waste found there.
The clean-up began at 9 a.m. after volunteers arrived by buses provided by EAD and continued till 12 noon.
The area was cleared of marine debris and litter where a wide array of debris was collected, which included many wooden panels, styrofoam, plastic glass bottles and tyres.
The total quantity of waste which was collected during this clean up campaign reaches 6720 kg, where wood alone weighted 5420 kg.
This quantity represents 2% to 5% of the total waste in that area.
All the waste, which was segregated and then weighed, included cardboard cartoons, plastic water bottles, and metal waste was sent for recycling.
The gloves used for the clean up campaign were also sent for recycling.
Majid Al Mansouri, EAD’s Secretary General said: “Abu Dhabi’s coastline is in dire need of your help. Waste from construction sites and other sources have littered our coastline, not only causing an eye sore but also endangering precious marine life such as dugongs and sea turtles, our health and our fragile environment. Abu Dhabi Government is really very concerned about this issue.”
He added: “The clean up campaigns, which was launched under the theme ‘Marine Debris is a Silent Killer, Help Keep Our Seas Clean,’ is being accompanied by a comprehensive awareness and education campaigns covering a wide spectrum of the population including fishermen and different categories use the coastal areas in addition to general public.”
Al Mansouri noted that part of the campaign’s message to the public is that marine debris is not just a problem for the Government to solve, but the community also plays a large role in keeping the UAE’s seas safe and clean.
The campaign stresses that a careless moment by us can impact our marine life through our lifetime, our children’s lifetime and future generations.
He stressed that these campaigns will continue until the Abu Dhabi shores are clean.
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