Mokpo Coast Guard Conducts Marine Cleanup to Mark 'Sea Day'

Joint Public-Private Marine Debris Cleanup
Practicing Blue Carbon Initiatives for Carbon Neutrality

On May 29, Mokpo Coast Guard Station (Chief Chae Sujun) conducted a joint marine debris cleanup in commemoration of the 30th Sea Day. The activities took place around the Yeongsangang River estuary sluice gates in Yeongam County and along the coast in front of the Bonsai Garden on Cheonsaseom Island in Sinan County, with participation from both public and private sectors.

According to the Mokpo Coast Guard, the cleanup around the estuary sluice gates involved over 240 people from more than 20 organizations and institutions, including Mokpo Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, Yeongam County, the Navy's 3rd Fleet, and Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation. Together, they collected approximately 2 tons of marine debris, including waste vinyl, Styrofoam, discarded ropes, and PET bottles.

Mokpo Coast Guard is conducting marine cleanup activities to commemorate the 30th Sea Day. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard Station

Additionally, along the coast in front of the Bonsai Garden on Cheonsaseom Island in Sinan County, a joint cleanup was carried out by about 30 members from three organizations: the Marine Disaster Rescue Team, Korea Maritime Rescue Association, and Korea Marine Environment Safety Association. They collected approximately 1 ton of marine debris.

Alongside this event, the Mokpo Coast Guard is continuously implementing policies to establish blue carbon ecosystems, which are gaining attention as alternatives to address the climate crisis. Blue carbon refers to carbon absorbed and stored by marine ecosystems such as seaweed beds and tidal flats, and is known to have more than five times the carbon absorption and storage capacity per unit area compared to forests.

In particular, as part of efforts to recycle discarded water bottles generated on ships, the station is actively pursuing marine environment improvement policies, including the Useangsung (Bring Back Our Water Bottles for Resource Circulation) project.

Chae Sujun, Chief of Mokpo Coast Guard Station, who participated in the cleanup, stated, "Not only discarded fishing nets from fishing boats but also large amounts of household waste flowing in from land are polluting the sea," and emphasized, "The protection of the marine environment requires the interest and ongoing participation of everyone."

Meanwhile, Sea Day is a national commemorative day established by law in 1996 to promote public awareness of the ocean and the sustainable use of marine resources. It is observed annually on May 31, and the Mokpo Coast Guard conducts marine cleanup activities every year to mark the occasion.

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