Gwangyang Steelworks Conducts Cleanup Activities on Geomundo Island with Yeosu Coast Guard

Clean Ocean Volunteer Group Conducts Marine Environment Cleanup Near Geomundo

The POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Volunteer Group conducted a joint underwater volunteer activity for marine environment preservation with the Yeosu Coast Guard over two days, on the 21st and 22nd, at Geomundo Island.

On that day at Geomundo, Yeosu, about 40 volunteers gathered, including the Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Volunteer Group, Yeosu Coast Guard Geomun Police Substation, and Geomundo Fishing Village Association.

The Clean Ocean Volunteer Group of Gwangyang Steelworks carried out marine environment cleanup activities around Geomundo Island, Yeosu, on the 21st and 22nd.
［Photo by Gwangyang Steelworks］

The waters near Geomundo are an area where POSCO installed Triton (slag artificial reefs) in the surrounding underwater region in 2011 to restore the marine ecosystem.

Triton is an artificial reef that contains a large amount of minerals useful to the coast, such as iron and calcium, compared to natural stones, greatly aiding the growth of seaweed and shellfish in the surrounding area. The installation of Triton is expected to increase fishery resource productivity, thereby boosting fishermen's income and even contributing to carbon dioxide reduction.

The Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Volunteer Group's cleanup activities were conducted to simultaneously carry out ecological surveys of the area where Triton was installed and collect plastic waste to purify the environment around the Triton area.

The volunteers participating in the cleanup rented a diver-only vessel and headed toward Deokchon-ri and Jukchon-ri areas of Geomundo with the vessel. The Clean Ocean volunteers searched nearby breakwaters and collected various plastic wastes accumulated there.

Then, wearing skin scuba gear, they entered the waters in front of the village to collect marine debris such as waste, abandoned fishing gear, and plastic waste. The Yeosu Coast Guard deployed patrol boats to monitor the volunteers’ entry zones and control the surrounding waters, ensuring the cleanup activities proceeded safely.

While collecting underwater waste, the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group also inspected the condition around Triton and conducted a nearby ecosystem survey, managing the post-installation care of Triton as well.

A resident of Jukchon-ri said, "I am grateful that various organizations, including Gwangyang Steelworks, have united with a shared heart to protect the blue sea and carried out such cleanup activities. As a resident, I always feel thankful that Gwangyang Steelworks has continuously shown interest and support for marine cleanup, including long-term underwater volunteer activities."

Meanwhile, under the corporate citizenship management philosophy, Gwangyang Steelworks has been conducting ESG activities throughout the entire Gwangyang city area as a company coexisting with the local community.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.