Sharjah Museums Department launches seabed cleanup campaign

The campaign is organized by the Sharjah Aquarium and the Sharjah Maritime Museum, in collaboration with SHUROOQ, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority.

The programme of the Flag Island Seabed Cleanup Campaign will feature five events, including identification of the campaign by Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Environmental Advisor to the Ajman Government, and the CEO of Al Ihsan Charity Centre.

Then the clean-up programme will begin with deep-sea divers performing a clean-up of the ocean floor.

The programme will also feature four lectures on the importance of the sea environment and the danger pollution poses to marine life. The speakers include Dr. Ebrahim Abdulla Al Jamali, Director of Marine Environment Research at the Ministry of Environment and Water - Umm Al Quwain, Meera Al Shaami, Environmental Coordinator at the Ministry of Environment and Water-Dubai, and Juma'a Bin Khalifa Ahmed Bin Thalith, director of the Emirates Diving Association's Heritage Section.

The speakers will highlight the importance of conservation and the protection of marine life and the first lecture will be delivered by Abdullah Bu Ali, Head of the Environment Protection Section at Sharjah Municipality.

The event programme will also include a workshop for children on the importance of recycling, as well as a theatre programme and various competitions. At the end of the initiative, all participating bodies and volunteers will be honoured.

The event will feature several exhibitions organized by various participating bodies, including Sharjah Municipality, Bee'ah, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, the Ministry of Environment and Water, and the Professional Diving Centre — which will all aim to raise the public awareness about the importance of protecting marine environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, Director General of SMD, said, "Our Department continues to implement its annual campaign 'Because We Care' as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public awareness about the importance of caring for our marine environment. We aim to educate our community about the importance of not littering if we are to show our appreciation of the great gift our beautiful beaches and oceans are to us. We have chosen Flag Island this year to carry out our fourth clean-up campaign due to its significance as a new landmark in Sharjah. It is our duty to keep our public parks and spaces clean for everyone to enjoy."

Ataya said, "We are extremely pleased with the participation of many ecology experts and local organizations working together to make this campaign a success, and we pledge to give our full support to any future clean-up campaigns launched in the UAE."

A total of 12 government and private bodies will be participating in the clean-up campaign on 23 February, namely the Emirates Diving Centre in Sharjah, Bee'ah, Ambulance and Rescue Unit in Sharjah, Dubai Diving Association, the Environment Protection Section of Sharjah Municipality, Emirates Diving Association in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Fishermen cooperative Society, the Ministry of Environment and Water-Dubai, Samawy Expedition, the Sharjah Sea Ports and Customs Department, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, and Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA).

Located in Mina area in Sharjah near government buildings, Flag Island was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to mark the 41st anniversary of the UAE's National Day. His Highness Sheikh Sultan raised the UAE flag on the 123 metre-high pole, considered to be the 7th tallest flagpole in the world, standing as tall as the flagpole in Abu Dhabi.