The Aqaba Marine Reserve, in partnership with the Program for the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), recently wrapped up a two-day workshop focusing on the pressing issue of marine litter and its detrimental effects on the coastal ecosystem. The workshop, titled “Assessment of Marine Litter on Beaches,” brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the urgent need for coordinated action to protect Aqaba’s marine environment.

The Environment Commissioner at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Ayman Suleiman, stressed the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding marine ecosystems for both environmental and economic reasons. Zahir Al-Aghwan, Regional Coordinator for PERSGA’s Marine Litter Management Program, highlighted the harmful impacts of marine litter, particularly plastic waste, on marine biodiversity.

The workshop also outlined ongoing cleanup campaigns and upcoming educational programs aimed at engaging local schoolchildren to instill a sense of responsibility towards marine conservation in future generations. Local community involvement was emphasized as crucial for the long-term sustainability of environmental initiatives in Aqaba.

Preserving Aqaba’s natural heritage is not just an environmental obligation but a key economic imperative, making collaborative efforts like these essential for the wellbeing of the region.