MSSRF organises a coastal cleanup drive in Rameswaram and Poompuhar beaches on Coastal Cleanup Day

The International Coastal Clean-up Day is observed annually worldwide on the third Saturday of September every year. To observe the Day, a ‘Clean Seas Campaign for Pollution Free Eco-friendly Beaches’ event was organised on September 16 in collaboration with National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai, Ministry of Earth Science, UNDP Small Grant Programme (UNDP-SGP), Rameswaram Municipality and Poompuhar Panchayat.

MSSRF’s Fish for All Research and Training Centre undertook a clean-up campaign in two beaches – Rameswaram Sangumal Beach in Ramanathapuram district and Poompuhar Beach in Mayiladuthurai district. About 200 volunteers from schools, colleges, Polytechnique and Fisheries Department, Municipality, research institutes like CMFRI, coastal security police, Naval department, NGOs, etc., participated in the clean-up drives.

Participants collected debris for a distance of two kms (about 1 km from each beach). The total debris from all the beaches amounting to roughly 758 kgs and comprised plastic bags, bottles and cups (113 kg); glass bottles (57 kg); clothes (103 kg); boat discards such as ropes, thermocol buoys and nets (64 kg); foot wear (120 kg) ;and other plastics (220 kg). The segregated debris was handed over to the municipality in each location for proper disposal. The data from the coastal drives could be useful for the formulation of the Marine Litter Policy.

The clean-up drives brought individuals, communities, and organisations to work collaboratively in cleaning up the coastal belt. They are raised awareness about marine litter pollution, and advocated for sustainable practices for a healthier ocean ecosystem. The event encouraged emphasis on the importance of reducing / managing plastic waste.