Dubai Municipality removes 820 tonnes of marine debris

Dubai: Dubai Municipality removed around 820 tonnes of maritime debris, including nine wooden boats and commercial vessels from Dubai Creek.

This marks the first phase of the Municipality’s annual plan to maintain the sustainability of Dubai’s water canals. Dubai Municipality diverts 95 per cent of the waste generated in Dubai is diverted to recycling companies.

The first phase of the Municipality’s water canal hygiene plan, which was introduced last year in locations such as Dubai Creek, Vessal anchor area, Jaddaf, Dubai Water Canal, Business Bay Canal, and the Waterfront, will continue throughout the emirate, according to Saeed Abdul Rahim Safar, Director of Waste Operations Department at Dubai Municipality.

Safar said: “Our strategy is divided into phases with the goal of removing all marine waste that obstructs the navigational movement of boats and vessels and disrupts trade and tourism traffic. It also aims at preventing marine pollution caused by the environmentally dangerous industrial products and substances from engines, which can endanger marine life and fisheries.

“A number of major partners from the public and private sectors are also involved in the strategy to guarantee that it is carried out efficiently and within the time frame specified.”

Additionally, he noted that the Municipality team has removed three ships and boats this year as part of the initial phase of cleanup operations.