“Join The Fight For A Healthy Ocean”
After embedding the initiative with our teams the natural next step was to evolve this by involving institutional partners like IUCN, local government and other NGO organizations
After embedding the initiative with our teams the natural next step was to evolve this by involving institutional partners like IUCN, local government and other NGO organizations. This led to the first ‘Action for a Green Halong’ cleanup day on the 14th of June.Through the involvement of Greenhhub (Centre for Green Development) we mapped Ha Long on the Ocean Conservancies website, which runs the International Coastal Cleanup campaigns every year. This has helped ensure that the data we collect contributes to the wider scientific study of ocean pollution.
We assembled 110 volunteers from as far afield as Saigon who went through a strenuous qualifying process and were delighted to see the participation of a younger demographic. This gives hope for the future, not only of Vietnam, but of our planet. If we can educate the youth from a young age on the importance of conservation our future is in safe hands.
On the 14th of June we ‘set sail’ after completing garbage collection training at our cruise center to ensure the data will be validated for submission. We split the group into 6 teams and 1 group on kayaks, led by Mr. Jake Brunner – Head of IUCN Indo-Burma Group. The enthusiasm was palpable especially as the piles of garbage started to build. In total we collected some 735 kg’s of garbage, in the process cleaning an estimated 1.2 km of coastline.
The next event is scheduled for the 10th of January and should see the US ambassador and other senior government officials attend.
