Forty tons of waste were removed from the Red Sea seabed during a 10-day operation to preserve Egypt’s biodiversity, reports Mahmoud Bakr. The project is the first phase of the Prepare for Green campaign aiming to preserve Egypt’s natural resources and protect its biodiversity.

The clean-up campaign was conducted in the areas declared natural protectorates in the Red Sea through collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, the Red Sea governorate, the Chamber of Diving and Water Sports, and the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, an NGO.

The clean-up focused on the cities of Hurghada, Safaga and Marsa Alam, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said.

Future phases will focus on diving spots in and around nature reserves, Fouad added.

The initiative is the first national maritime and touristic activity to be conducted after the coronavirus pandemic brought such activities to a complete halt, Fouad added.

The waste extracted from the Red Sea bed consisted of plastic, glass, metal, wood and other substances, she stated, adding that the waste wastransported to a sanitary landfill for safe disposal.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the title:  Red Sea clean-up