POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group Takes Action to Preserve Marine Ecosystem through Underwater Cleanup Activities

Garbage Collection and Pirate Creature Extermination

POSCO's 'Clean Ocean Volunteer Group' will conduct underwater volunteer activities in the Pohang and Gwangyang areas on the 28th in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day.

The POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group started as an employee skin diving club and was officially established in 2009 as POSCO's representative talent volunteer group. Currently, 379 members are active in the Pohang, Gwangyang, and Seoul regions.

Last August, the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group collected the invasive species, crown-of-thorns starfish, along the coast of Pohang, Gyeongbuk.
[Photo by POSCO]

During this volunteer activity, the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group will collect indiscriminately discarded waste such as plastic debris, abandoned fishing gear, and tires, and will also work to eradicate invasive marine species like starfish and sea urchins, which are considered major causes of fishery resource depletion. Through this, they aim to lead the preservation of marine biodiversity and contribute to improving the convenience of local fishermen by removing underwater waste and invasive species.

POSCO supports the members by providing necessary equipment such as suits and breathing apparatus, as well as related training including skin diving certification courses. Additionally, in December 2013, POSCO introduced the 'POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group Ship,' a 12-ton lift-equipped vessel, to ensure the volunteer group can safely conduct underwater activities.

Since its establishment, the POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group has seen participation from over 22,000 people and has collected a cumulative total of 2,279 tons of marine waste. In recognition of these achievements, the volunteer group received a letter of appreciation from the Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard on the 10th, Marine Police Day.

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