The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah has launched the ‘Sustainable Sea’ initiative as part of its World Environment Day activities to promote marine conservation and environmental responsibility.
The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of marine pollution and plastic waste while encouraging community participation and volunteer efforts to protect marine ecosystems and preserve natural resources.
The initiative combined hands-on environmental action with awareness activities, featuring a seabed clean-up diving campaign involving divers and volunteers. The campaign was launched from Khor Al Khan Marina with the objective of removing marine debris and reducing the impact of pollution on marine life and coral reefs, thereby contributing to ecological balance and the sustainability of marine ecosystems.
The EPAA’s new initiative was supported by several collaborating entities, including the Sharjah Museums Authority, BEEAH Group, the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority, Sharjah Civil Defense Authority, Sharjah Municipality, and Majlan Marine Sports Centre, reflecting the importance of institutional partnerships in supporting environmental initiatives and advancing sustainability goals.
Aisha Rashid Deemas, Chairperson of the EPAA in Sharjah, affirmed that the marine environment is one of the most important natural resources requiring collective efforts to protect and preserve, given its rich biodiversity and vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
The Chairperson noted that, “The Sustainable Sea initiative reflects EPAA’s ongoing commitment to raising environmental awareness and encouraging community participation in marine conservation. We firmly believe that protecting natural resources is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of both institutions and individuals. Such initiatives also play an important role in promoting positive environmental behaviour and encouraging different segments of society to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives.”
“Plastic pollution remains one of the most significant challenges facing marine ecosystems worldwide due to the harm it causes to marine organisms and their natural habitats. Through awareness and field-based initiatives such as this, we seek to mitigate these risks and strengthen environmental stewardship among present and future generations,” Aisha Rashid added.
