World Ocean Day: Taking Action for a Cleaner Ocean in Jambiani
Every year, World Oceans Day is a reminder of how essential the ocean is to our planet, our communities and the countless species that depend on healthy marine ecosystems. It is also an opportunity to turn awareness into action and to work together to protect the ocean and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.
For us at marinecultures.org, protecting the ocean starts locally. This year, our World Oceans Day activities brought together community members, volunteers, a local hotel and dive centres for both a beach clean-up and an underwater clean-up in Jambiani Lagoon.
Cleaning the beach – together with Hotel Resort Mr Kahawa
Together with the team and volunteers from Hotel Resort Mr Kahawa, we cleaned the beach and collected marine litter and waste that had accumulated along the coastline.
Beach clean-ups are an important part of keeping waste from entering the ocean in the first place. Litter left on the shore can be carried into the water by tides, wind and rain, where it can become a threat to marine life.
Underwater clean-up in Jambiani Lagoon
Our Coral Restorers also took to the water for an underwater clean-up between the second and last buoys of Jambiani Lagoon. Together with three local dive centres, we divided into teams and worked our way through the lagoon, collecting marine debris from the reef and surrounding areas.
For the clean-up, we used collection nets to safely bring the waste to the surface. A significant part of what we found consisted of ropes, fishing lines and other fishing-related gear, including remnants associated with fishing traps. We also encountered general litter, which can enter the lagoon through activities at sea or be washed down from land.
31 kg of marine debris removed
All collected waste was brought back to our base, where it was sorted and weighed.
Type of debris | Current collection | Previous collection |
Nets | 0 kg | 14.5 kg |
Ropes & lines | 31 kg | 13 kg |
Bottles & bags | 0 kg | 1.5 kg |
Total | 31 kg | 29 kg |
This time, we removed 31 kg of marine debris, compared with 29 kg during the previous clean-up. The results highlight the continued accumulation of waste at the site, particularly ropes and fishing lines.
Working together for a healthier lagoon
The clean-up brought together 14 participants from Buccaneer, Easy Blue, Pole Pole and Manta Coast Diving Centres, alongside the Coral Restorers team. By bringing together people who use and work in the lagoon every day, we can make a direct contribution to creating a cleaner and safer environment for both marine life and divers.
Regular underwater clean-ups and continued collaboration between local dive centres, fishing communities and other marine users can help strengthen collective conservation efforts and increase awareness of the impact of marine debris.
A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and supported us, both on the beach and underwater. Your time, energy and commitment made this clean-up possible.
