A team of 52 divers and 22 volunteers removed six tonnes of rubbish in Fujairah on Friday.

They did so under the Fujairah marine life conservation initiative, which was organised by the Fujairah International Marine Club, the Barracuda Diving Centre, the UAE Divers' Centre and the UAE Falcons Diving Centre.

"Organising such initiatives is part of our role in preserving the marine life and educating the new generations on the importance of keeping it [the sea] clean,” said Ahmed Al Blooshi, managing director of the marine club.

He said the club invited divers to participate and it found 52 volunteers from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.

Divided into four groups, the divers covered about 15,000 square metres of sea and collected debris in the waters off marine club premises.

"The waste included a fibreglass boat, anchors and plenty of plastic bottles. All these objects can affect the ocean's wildlife and damage it,” said Mr Al Blooshi.

"We are planning on organising this event every year with a regular awareness campaign in association with the environment department at Fujairah Municipality.”

According to Mr Al Blooshi, there are many penalties for breaching the rules of disposing waste from boats including having one's boating licence revoked.

Ruby Albarilla, a 30-year-old Filipino staffer at the Barracuda Diving Centre, said Emirati divers and their peers from Egypt, Turkey, Oman, the Philippines and Kuwait helped to clear rubbish from the ocean and preserve marine life.

"Twenty-two volunteers came from Dubai and Fujairah to help in cleaning the shore in front of the Fujairah International Marine Club to Fujairah beach. Everyone was so excited and willing to help,” she said.
Source: The National