EAD to clean up Al Taweelah Beach on Saturday

The campaign is part of an intensive awareness campaign launched by EAD earlier this year, under the theme "Marine Debris is a Silent Killer Help Keep Our Seas Clean," with the aim to clean up Abu Dhabi Emirate's beaches and raise public awareness on the negative impact of marine debris on public health as well as the Emirate's biodiversity.

This campaign is also in line with Abu Dhabi Government's concern and move to keep Abu Dhabi's beaches safe and clean as well as to protect the environment and safeguard human health.

The clean-up will begin at 8:30 a.m. and it is expected to last until 10:30 a.m.

The area will be cleared of marine debris and litter which otherwise would end up in the sea, harming the UAE's fragile biodiversity.

The campaign is being organized in collaboration with "Takatof " and Abu Dhabi Municipality, where many members of the government and private sector will be taking part in this campaign including Standard Chartered Bank, Emirates Transport Corporation, Abu Dhabi National Foodstuff Company (Foodco), Jeema Mineral Water, McDonald's and a number of Abu Dhabi's students.

Following the clean-up, an awareness lecture will be delivered to volunteers to raise their awareness about the negative impacts of marine debris.

Maisa Al Nuwais, Director of Environmental Education and Awareness Division, EAD said that since the beginning of this year, EAD has organized three clean up campaigns covering Mussafah Channel, Al Mirfa Public Beach and Al Silaa's Fishermen's Port.

More than (800) volunteers from EAD and several government and private agencies participated in these clean-ups where in several hours they removed more then (19,803) kilograms of waste and debris including many remnants of boats and fishing gear, in addition to wood, plastic and glass.

She stressed that these campaigns will continue until the Abu Dhabi shores are clean and more public awareness is raised about the impact of pollution on marine habitats and biological resources.

Maytha Al Habsi, Director of Takatof programme, said that more than 70 volunteers from Takatof will participate in this upcoming clean-up which is in line with the programme's mission to mobilize people and resources in the UAE to take practical, socially-responsible actions that meet proven community needs.

She noted that this programme, which was created by Emirates Foundation in 2007, aims at developing the spirit of volunteering among young Emiratis and at branding the concept of volunteering as a 'way of life'".

Ali Taresh Al Mehairbi, from Abu Dhabi Municipality Public Health & Environment Department said that this campaign comes in the framework of the Municipality's commitment to maintain a high standard of public cleanliness and hygiene, cleaning up the local environment, enhancing environmental awareness of the community on the growing waste problem.

He said that both the Public Health & Environment Department and the private companies responsible for cleaning and waste collection services in the Emirate will support this clean-up by providing the necessary requirements to ensure the success of this campaign.