Gwangyang Steelworks Employees Volunteer for Underwater Cleanup at Yeosu Singi Port

Collecting Discarded Fishing Gear and Removing Invasive Species Underwater
1,100 Tons of Marine Waste Collected Since 2009

The Clean Ocean Volunteer Group, under POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (headed by Ko Jaeyoon), announced on October 15 that it carried out underwater environmental cleanup activities around Singi Port in Yeosu City on October 13, contributing to the preservation of the beautiful marine ecosystem.

The Clean Ocean Volunteer Group, which originated from the Gwangyang Steelworks scuba diving club, was established in 2009 and now has 72 active members. The group conducts marine ecosystem conservation activities at least twice a month along the coastlines of Gwangyang Steelworks and neighboring areas.

The Clean Ocean Volunteer Group is inspecting oxygen tanks. Provided by Gwangyang Steelworks

Approximately 30 people participated in this underwater cleanup activity, including members of the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group and residents of Singidong fishing village. The volunteers donned scuba equipment and entered the sea to collect marine debris such as abandoned plastic waste, discarded fishing gear, tires, and nets, taking the lead in preserving a sustainable marine ecosystem.

Since Singi Port serves as a local fishing port and a vital base for supporting the livelihoods of local residents, the volunteers also engaged in activities to remove invasive species such as starfish and sea urchins, which are considered major culprits in the depletion of marine resources and a nuisance to fishermen. Additionally, they worked to recover large debris that poses a risk of capsizing fishing vessels.

The Clean Ocean Volunteer Group also took the lead in establishing a culture of volunteer activities that prioritize safety. They meticulously checked all essential safety measures, including safety briefings, pre-entry Tool Box Meetings and warm-up exercises, maintaining boarding and entry logs, strictly adhering to the buddy diving principle, and conducting thorough equipment inspections to ensure safe volunteering.

Including this recent activity, the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group at Gwangyang Steelworks has collected approximately 1,100 tons of marine waste since 2009, with a cumulative total of about 10,000 volunteer participants.

Jung Joongyoung, head of the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group at Gwangyang Steelworks, stated, "Even if the surface appears clean, once you enter the water, you can see that much more trash and discarded fishing gear have been left behind than expected. With a commitment to creating a clean marine ecosystem, we will continue our activities along with our members going forward."

Meanwhile, the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group at Gwangyang Steelworks plans to conduct a large-scale joint underwater cleanup at Geomundo in Yeosu on October 18 and 19, in collaboration with Yeosu City, Dadohaehaesang National Park Office, and the Coast Guard Rescue Team.

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