Jebel Ali beach: 1,000kg garbage

More than 870kg of trash from the beach and more than 370kg of trash underwater was collected over two days at Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary earlier this month, Dubai Municipality has said.

During a two-day initiative called Coastal Clean-up Dubai 2015, the Environment Department in cooperation with several authorities, companies and volunteers cleaned a conservation area stretching 2,185 hectare of shallow subtidal seabed and its fronting beaches.

On Day 1, the beach was emptied of 850kg of trash, of which 70 per cent existed of plastic bottles and the remainder formed a mixture of foams and grocery items.

The campaigners collected 370kg of trash of which half included glass bottles and aluminium cans, while the rest was picnic related trash and groceries.

Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary is the only marine sanctuary in the Emirate of Dubai. However, just like any protected areas, it has its own threats and one of those is the presence of wastes in the area that drifted to its shores or were left behind by people irresponsibly, said municipality.

The seabed hosts at least 291 species of flora and fauna and is the only remaining nesting site of the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Dubai.

It has extensive seagrass beds where Dugongs (Dugong dugon) used to frequent, according to old fishermen in the area.

Though rarely observed recently, feeding patterns can be observed sparsely scattered in the sea grass beds.

Dolphins are also a frequent visitor in the area particularly the IndoPacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) and Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis).

With 34 species of scleractinian coral recorded, the Jabal Ali reef stands out among the coral reefs of the Gulf (Riegl, 1999).

More than 250 participated in the cleaning activity. Doing this activity in a reserve highlights the importance of the protected areas and that it is not only the government who is responsible in the management and conservation of our natural resources. Of the 250 participants, 120 school kids took part in the cause.

“It is very important that the next generation take part in the management of our protected areas and be aware of the consequences if we are irresponsible in handling our wastes,” Aisha Almurr Almuhery, Section Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Section said.

The activity also strengthened the partnership of the government and the private sectors. The activity was in collaboration with the Khidmah, a properties and facilities management solutions provider in Abu Dhabi, who provided the safety measures and first aid equipment as well as logistical support.

The Emirates Environmental Group was also instrumental in coordinating with schools, while the Emirates Marine Environmental Group was excellent is setting up and facilitating the place for the clean-up. The Filipino Scuba Divers Club pooled their members together to take part in the underwater clean-up.

“We need more of these collaborations with the residents of Dubai and the UAE. Collaborations indicates unity and strength and is essential if we want to have a clean and healthy environment for the next generation,” said Engr Alya Al Harmoudi, Director of the Environment Department.

The activity will be an annual event and the group will be hoping to encourage more individuals and group to take a part in making our coastal and marine environment healthy and sustainable.
 

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