More than 250 participants from government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and local communities took part in beach clean-up at Tok Jembal Beach in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Although the Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing, there were overwhelming responses from those who are committed to this environmental effort, who came and took part as a way to send the message regarding the love for the environment.

The programme was held in conjunction with the celebration of World Oceans Day 2020, and the theme for this year was “Our Beach, Our Identity”. The main objectives of the programme were to promote clean beaches and increase the awareness of the impact of non-reusable plastic towards the marine environment.  

Participants were asked to bring their own food and drink containers. These containers must be made of paper or biodegrable. Containers made of plastic were not allowed.

A total of 542.5 kilograms of rubbish was collected along the coastline that spans 1 kilometre within less than an hour. Among items picked up were face masks, plastic bottles, food packaging, paper, and glass.

Waste materials from human activities along the coastlines are the main cause of ocean pollution. If not managed well, the materials will drift into the oceans and endanger marine lives and threaten human health.

The programme was organized by researchers from the Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Interest Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. It was part of the initiatives to encourage the public to be involved in the maintenance of the beaches rather than leaving the task to the local authorities. The programme was deemed successful based on the number of participants from various backgrounds who took part in it.

Keeping the beaches clean is also one of the efforts towards achievinig the Sustainable Development Goal that has been outlined by the United Nations. This goal encompasses economic development for the improvement of the wellbeing of the people based on balanced utilization of environmental resources and conservation. The beach clean-up programme is believed to help ensure the sustainability of the oceans by focusing on the wellbeing of the marine lives through improving the management of coastal marine ecosystem.

The programme drew participation from several agencies and NGOs including the Ministry of Environment and Water, Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation, Batu Buruk Trash Hero, Universiti Utara Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur campus), and UNESCO National Commission. It was officiated by Puan Zuraida Md Noor, Terengganu assemblywoman.

For further information:

Dr. Izyan Munirah Binti Mohd Zaideen

Senior Lecturer

Faculty of Maritime Studies

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Tel : 012-9627525

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu