Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) and all its Regional Fish Ports (RFP) nationwide took part in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) held simultaneously nationwide on September 21, 2024.

With the theme “Clean Seas for Blue Economy”,  the purpose of the event is to bring together communities, organizations, and individuals to remove trash and debris from coastlines, waterways, and oceans to ensure all those that live in the ocean can #SeaTheChange .

During the cleanup, volunteers not only collected litter but also identified and cataloged the items using a standardized data card. This valuable information is then entered into a comprehensive database, enabling pollution specialists to analyze the data and develop effective solutions to combat marine debris. Through this initiative, the ICC advocates for cleaner, healthier oceans and empowers communities to take meaningful action against ocean pollution.

Organized by the Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit environmental advocacy group, the ICC is an annual event in which the PFDA has committed to participate, reflecting its dedication to environmental conservation and its responsibility to protect marine ecosystems. By actively engaging in this global initiative, the PFDA demonstrates its ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and raise awareness about the importance of keeping our coastlines clean and free of pollution.

PFDA personnel, along with volunteers, community organizations, clients, stakeholders, and industry partners, joined the cleanup. 

(Robert Gregory Q. Elardo – Public Information Division with reports and photos from PFDA-RFPs)