Jeollanamdo Collects Over 100 Tons of Marine Debris

Cleanup Activities Conducted for a Month to Mark the 30th Sea Day
Focused Cleanup Around Islands with Participation from Private Organizations and Residents

Jeollanamdo Province collected about 100 tons of marine debris throughout May, focusing on islands and coastal areas such as Yeosu, Goheung, Gangjin, and Wando, in celebration of the 30th Sea Day. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanamdo Province announced on the 3rd that, in celebration of the 30th Sea Day, it collected about 100 tons of marine debris throughout May in cooperation with private organizations in coastal cities and counties such as Yeosu, Goheung, Gangjin, and Wando. The province also carried out various activities aimed at raising awareness about marine environmental protection.

About 1,000 people participated in the cleanup efforts, including local residents and public officials, with the initiative led by seven private organizations such as the Fisheries Businessmen's Association, the Marine Rescue Team, and the Saemaul Association. A total of 25 vessels and 10 trucks were mobilized to focus on cleaning up blind spots for marine debris, such as waters around islands and underwater areas that are usually difficult to access.

The Jeonnam Federation of the Korea Fisheries Businessmen's Association deployed 20 vessels and 6 trucks to collect approximately 70 tons of marine debris in the waters near 10 islands, including Hwataedo, Songdo, and Gaedo in Yeosu.

The Marine Environment Lifesaving Team contributed to the preservation of the underwater ecosystem by collecting about 3 tons of underwater waste, including discarded fishing nets, with the participation of around 100 people in the waters off Sinji-myeon in Wando and Maryang-myeon in Gangjin.

The Jeonnam Saemaul Association also contributed to marine environmental cleanup by collecting about 5 tons of waste with around 150 participants along coastal roads and beaches.

In addition, nonprofit organizations such as Jeonil Enkels, the Southwest Sea Environmental Center, the Green National Union Yeosu Branch, and the Island and Sea Ecological Environment Association, together with about 500 members, fishermen's associations, local residents, and public officials, collected about 20 tons of marine debris and conducted cleanup campaigns.

Jeollanamdo Province supports the marine environmental conservation activities of private organizations every year. This year, the province is providing a total of 160 million won to eight organizations to support marine debris collection, underwater cleanups, marine education, and campaigns.

Park Geunsik, Director of Shipping and Ports at Jeollanamdo Province, stated, "This cleanup activity is an exemplary case of public-private cooperation, led by private organizations and joined by residents. We will continue to take the lead in sustainable marine environmental conservation through ongoing collaboration with the private sector."