Chungcheongnam-do Province has officially announced the full-scale launch of its year-round coastal cleanup initiative, the "Help Me, Chungnam Sea" project.

The province announced that on May 27, approximately 40 participants, including provincial officials, marine environment guardians, and Seocheon-gun residents, carried out coastal cleanup activities on Yubudo Island, Seocheon-gun.

This project was organized to expand the participation of local communities, including residents, organizations, and volunteers, in solving the marine pollution problems plaguing the seven coastal cities and counties within the province (Boryeong, Asan, Seosan, Dangjin, Seocheon, Hongseong, and Taean), which are suffering from marine debris.

Key activities include:

Citizen-participatory cleanup activities linked with marine environmental education, ecological tours, and plogging.
Leisure-type cleanup activities conducted with marine leisure clubs.
"Adopt-a-Beach" style coastal cleanup activities where companies and organizations adopt specific beaches and care for and manage them like pets.
Additionally, to ensure continuous management of marine debris, the third week of every month has been designated as "Coastal Cleanup Week," during which each city and county will promote coastal cleanup activities and campaigns.

During the peak tourist season from May to September, large-scale coastal cleanup activities are planned in the coastal cities and counties in cooperation with city/county volunteer centers, relevant local organizations, and "Adopt-a-Beach" companies, to ensure intensive management.

Starting with Yubudo Island in Seocheon-gun, coastal cleanup activities will also take place at:

Sohoang Sand Dune in Boryeong-si
Geolmaeri Coast in Asan-si
Gopado Port in Seosan-si
Yongmuchii Beach in Dangjin-si
Janghang-eup Coast in Seocheon
Gung-ri Port in Hongseong-gun
Magampo Beach in Taean-gun

Approximately 400 people from 17 organizations, including the Geum River Basin Environmental Office, Daesan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, Coast Guard, and fishing village residents, will participate in these efforts.

Beyond this project, the province is also accelerating its efforts to "create a clean marine environment" by simultaneously implementing various policies, such as expanding marine environmental education, operating land-based waste interception facilities, deploying marine environment helpers for rapid marine debris collection, operating marine debris transport vessels for island areas, and conducting marine debris cleanup projects.

Cho Jin-bae, head of the Marine Policy Division, stated, "Marine debris is not just an aesthetic issue but a serious threat to the marine ecosystem. For a sustainable ocean, systematic marine debris management, not just a one-time effort, is essential." He added, "We plan to continue regular cleanup activities and policy support for a sustainable marine environment."

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