Dubai coastline transformed as volunteers remove over 2 tonnes of waste
Dozens of divers join annual Cleanup Arabia initiative
DUBAI – In a significant step toward preserving Dubai’s marine environment, over 100 volunteers and 71 divers gathered to remove more than 2,197 kilograms of waste from the city’s coastline as part of the annual Cleanup Arabia initiative.
The event, led by the Emirates Diving Association (EDA) in partnership with DP World and other organisations, took place at two key locations: Port De La Mer Marina and Mina Rashid.
Two Sites, One Mission
The first stage of the clean-up unfolded at Port De La Mer Marina, where a dedicated team of 45 divers and 15 volunteers removed 565.2 kilograms of waste from the marina waters.
The second stage saw 26 divers and 102 volunteers gather at Mina Rashid, clearing a further 1,632.7 kilograms from the beach and surrounding waters, reflecting a shared commitment to tackling pollution head-on.
Protecting Marine Life
DP World’s involvement underscored its commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity. As Nabil Qayed, Executive Vice President of Corporate Support at DP World GCC, noted, “With a major coastal presence through our ports, terminals, and other assets, we have a key role to play in maintaining clean oceans and contributing to biodiversity preservation. The partnership with EDA aligns with the UNSDG goal to protect life below water, and we are committed to preserving our planet for future generations by reducing emissions across our global portfolio, protecting ecosystems and enhancing and restoring oceans.”
Partnerships in action
Aside from the waste collected on the day, several tonnes of discarded pallets were gathered and prepared for future collection by Imdaad LLC, expanding the reach of this year’s initiative.
The EDA-DP World partnership, which has led to four major coastal clean-ups in Dubai, also supports research efforts to protect marine life.
Recently, a collaboration with the University of Khorfakkan addressed an outbreak of the invasive Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star (CoTS), which poses a threat to coral reefs along the UAE’s East Coast.
Cleanup Arabia
Since its launch in 1995, Cleanup Arabia has united volunteers and environmentalists to remove over 61,542.9 kilograms of waste from UAE coastlines.
Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, Co-Founder of EDA, highlighted the initiative’s impact, stating, “EDA’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore the UAE’s marine resources, and one of our most important initiatives to achieve this is Cleanup Arabia, which has been tidying the UAE’s coastal areas for almost three decades.
“Human trash that pollutes the ocean environment doesn’t just pose a threat to marine wildlife, but breaks down into microplastics that makes its way into our own food chain as well. Removing this waste is essential to a healthy environment for future generations, which is why we are extremely grateful for the support of DP World for these initiatives to protect the UAE’s coastlines.”
The enduring partnership between EDA, DP World, and key collaborators such as P&O Marinas, Imdaad LLC, and D-Marin highlights a shared commitment to environmental sustainability. With ongoing initiatives and research support, Cleanup Arabia remains a vital part of the UAE’s marine conservation efforts, demonstrating the power of community-led action in protecting coastal ecosystems.