Divers remove 3t of marine debris

The Environment Authority organised campaigns to clean coral reefs in the wilayats of Sohar and Shinas in North Batinah on September 9 and 10 in efforts to keep the marine environment clean.

The campaigns were organised in cooperation with the Omani Association of Fishermen, Sohar Diving Team and Al Salam Diving Team.

The clean-up campaigns were held with the participation of 35 divers. Speaking to Muscat Daily,

Hamed Mohammed al Amri, head of Al Salam Diving Team, said, “Three tonnes of marine debris, including electricity poles and palm tree trunks, were removed. Divers worked from 9am to 11am at depths ranging from 5m to 12m.”

According to Amri, the twoday drive in Sohar and Shinas aimed at spreading awareness on preserving coral reefs from pollutants and remnants of fishing tools and equipment, preventing the dumping of waste, and encouraging volunteerism among communities in the wilayats.

“These campaigns are ideal opportunities to make a positive change that serves the marine environment by removing marine debris that spoil the beauty of nature.

“Continuous activities of cleaning the marine environment from fishing waste contribute to increasing fish production, preserving endangered species and maintaining a clean marine environment,” Amri said.

He added that the biggest challenge that the divers faced while carrying out cleaning activities came from discarded fishing nets, which are also responsible for the deaths of many marine creatures.

“We, in cooperation with the Environment Authority, will continue to conduct campaigns on an ongoing basis at various coral reef sites in Musandam, Dhofar, South Sharqiyah and Al Wusta to remove marine debris,” Amri said.