Almost 300 kilos of underwater trash collected in Hilotungan

MACTAN Island is known the world over for its pristine beaches and magnificent coral reefs.

So imagine the shock of dive volunteers including foreign nationals when they collected almost 300 kilos of underwater trash in a clean up drive on Saturday along the Hilotungan Channel.

The clean up drive was hosted this year by Crimson Resort and Spa in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

Dive groups such as “Project Blue” of Blue Water Maribago Resort, Dive Guys, Dive Ventures, Lapu-Lapu City Task Force Kalikasan, Val Alo divers, New Port and pocket groups of divers including Koreans and Japanese volunteered in yesterday’s underwater clean up.

“This is an annual regular underwater clean up initiated by resorts in Lapu-Lapu City dubbed as “Dive Against Debris” which is participated by dive groups and individuals.” said Mia Sy, Crimson Resort’s public relations manager.

“Aside from the other coastal clean up activities, we also set a separate underwater clean up to really maintain and protect the underwater habitat and marine life,” she added.

Women in mermaid costumes and a “Nemo” clownfish mascot were included in the gathering to add more fun.

The activity started with a registration, followed by a safety briefing and survey card distribution before going out to the sea.

An hour later, dive groups returned with the collected trash which was weighed and sorted out.

Most trash thrown to the sea were beverage plastics and glass bottles, tin cans and different kinds of trash.

Divers also removed crown-of-thorns starfish that eats the tips of corals eventually destroying them.

The unwanted debris collected by 155 divers, weighed 288 kilos.

Participating divers were given a certificate of recognition. Later, organizers raffled off some diving gear for participants.

Resorts occupying the areas along the Hilotungan Channel have already converted the area into marine sanctuaries.