SATT, Averda launch plan to safeguard coastline

MUSCAT: Safeguarding Oman’s seas will become a vital part of the EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour protocol after a new marine conservation plan was jointly launched by race organisers Oman Sail and Averda, the integrated waste management company, with the support of the Environmental Society of Oman (ESO). Targeting mainly schoolchildren through a series of interactive classroom presentations by Averda ambassadors and a range of new initiatives, the plan will aim to educate new generations about handling waste.

The programme will kick off on February 13, one day before the start of the 2017 EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour in Muscat with a beach clean-up at the Athaiba beach. On hand will be some of the sailors taking part in Oman Sail’s two-week classic race around the Gulf working alongside groups of schoolchildren from public and private schools in the region. There will be a second clean up on February 18 at Khasab, the capital of the Musandam Peninsula to coincide with the stopover at the end of EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour’s second leg from Sohar.

Averda, who have been long-time supporters of EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour with an entry in the race, will be coordinating clean-up activities using their special flat boat which has been designed to access shallow waters to collect the plastics that are so harmful to marine life, alongside Averda’s stateof-the-art beach cleaning machine.

“We are delighted to be launching this new marine conservation plan with Oman Sail and have designed it to engage with the young population so they understand the importance of recycling and protecting our environment,” said Philippa Charlton, Chief Marketing Officer at Averda.

“The region’s history is steeped in its maritime resources and they are incredibly important to us all,” said Salma al Hashmi, Chief Marketing Officer at Oman Sail. “The waters around Oman and our glorious coastline are among our greatest assets and we have a responsibility to make sure they are safeguarded for future generations. This partnership with Averda is an important first step towards ensuring the sustainability of the race and using it as a platform to educate future generations about the importance of preserving our environment.”