Gyeonggi-do Collects 2,062 Tons of Marine Debris This Year... Establishes 'Clean Gyeonggi Sea Implementation Plan'

Marine Debris Collection

Gyeonggi Province will invest 3.5 billion KRW this year to collect 2,062 tons of marine debris and conduct a marine environment improvement campaign for residents.

On the 30th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it has established the "2024 Marine Waste and Marine Pollution Sediment Management Implementation Plan," which includes collecting 2,062 tons of marine debris using the Gyeonggi Cheongjeongho vessel and divers, and conducting campaigns to raise residents' awareness of the marine environment.

Gyeonggi Province will invest a total of 3.5 billion KRW to carry out this project this year.

The main projects include ▲distribution and replacement of 1,842 certified buoys ▲implementation of a deposit system for fishing gear and buoys using four collection facilities ▲collection and disposal of 2,062 tons of marine and sedimented waste ▲installation of two onboard collection stations ▲focused cleanup activities in vulnerable areas such as island regions ▲marine environment awareness improvement through resident participation campaigns and upcycling education ▲operation of Coastal Cleanup Day once a month ▲pollution and environmental surveys of coastal waters within the province.

The Gyeonggi Cheongjeongho, a waste disposal vessel built in 2020, regularly collects and disposes of marine debris generated in coastal waters and island areas within the province. Especially this year, divers will be utilized to collect marine debris abandoned underwater and in coastal waters in island areas of the province that are difficult for people to access.

In addition, Gyeonggi Province will regularly conduct monthly coastal cleanup activities focusing on coastal areas with high marine debris generation and provide marine environment conservation education targeting youth and others.

Gyeonggi Province also plans to systematically manage the collection, transportation, disposal, and recycling of marine debris within the province by preparing countermeasures to revitalize the marine debris recycling industry.

Kim Bong-hyun, Director of the Marine Fisheries Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will create a clean Gyeonggi Sea by ensuring that no blind spots occur in the marine debris management system within the province."