As part of the “Clean Beach” initiative, Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection supported underwater cleaning dives in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in observance of Oceans Day. The dives were carried out by the Israel Diving Association’s “Sea Guard” in coordination with the Nature and Parks Authority. 55 divers participated in the cleanup dives that took place last weekend at Givat Aliya in Jaffa, on the beaches of Herzliya and on the beach of Dor-Nachsholim, collecting about 120 kg of waste, mostly made of plastic, disposable food packaging and drink cans. The waste was removed and sorted, and the information collected during the dives will be monitored and used to understand the sources of the waste and find solutions to the environmental problem it causes, as well as to increase awareness. The next dives will take place on June 16 and June 23-24, 2023.
The Clean Coast Plan is a national action plan to address the problem of marine waste in Israel, and is derived from the requirements of the Barcelona Convention. The program emphasizes informing the general public about the need to prevent hazards from marine waste and especially plastic waste, which is the main waste in Israel. The Clean Coast Programme of the Ministry of Environmental Protection is in its 18th year in 2023. The program’s goal is to reduce the risk posed by coastal and marine debris in Israel and take action to clean the beaches and sea in accordance with an international obligation, for the environment’s sake and the benefit of the Israeli people.
