Joint Action for Clean Dive Sites
calendar_monthMarch 05, 2009
Trash-polluted dive sites are a common sight around the globe, including southern Egypt. So far, individual commitment and dedication of single dive operators were the only approach to face the reoccurring trash masses. The sheer dimension of the problem proves this to be insufficient. On the 11th and 12th of February 2009, a handful of people made a great difference! For the first time in the El Quesir region, a coalition of concerned operators came together to adress this challenge as a joint force. For the first time ever, a collective Beach Clean Up Action of the region was organized by The Red Sea Environmental Centre (RSEC), supported by the HEPCA. The event is to be repeated on a monthly basis and will hopefully have a strong impact on local politics to urge on local plans on infrastructure and logistics of garbage disposal. The enthusiastic collaboration of dive staff, guests and members of both organizations realized the collection of more than 4 tons of trash and debris at two different dive sites in only two afternoons. In Serib Kebir 733.5 kg and Abu Saafa 414 kg (a total of 1147.5kg) of trash were gathered, plus safari boat remains of app. 3 t in the latter location. Christof Schneider, from the RSEC would like to say thank you once more to all participating dive operators of the region (EXTRA DIVER, MAGIC DIVER, SUBEX, DUCK DIVER, PHARAO DIVER UND SUBAQUA) for their magnificent help. Without their commitment and dedication, this action would not have been as successful and impressive as it was. We hope to see you all again, as well as the operators we missed.
