ABU DHABI, 10 May, 05 (WAM) - The Environmental Research andWildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) in Abu Dhabi and ESNAAD,a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), haveteamed up in cooperation with other relevant organizations ina two-week marine clean-up campaign from May 14 - 27. Organizershave stressed that the clean-up's main objective is to createawareness and educate the community about the problem of marinedebris. The areas that will be targeted are the Corniche, theBateen and the Mina Zayed Fishing Harbours of Abu Dhabi Emirate,according to a press release.

ESNAAD is the main sponsor of the campaign and other organizationsinvolved include the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club,Al Masaood Marine & Engineering, Emirates Marine EnvironmentGroup, Marine Police, Coast Guard, Abu Dhabi Municipalities andAgriculture Department, the Abu Dhabi Committee of the EmiratesDiving Association and the National Drilling Company. Co-sponsoringthe campaign are the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Union NationalBank, ZADCO, ADMA-OPCO, Bunduq Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Oil Company(Japan) and Rhode & Shwarz Emirates LLC.

Throughout the two-week campaign, about 60 volunteer SCUBA diversand 10 professional commercial divers will exert their utmostefforts in an attempt to clear out as much litter as possiblefrom the targeted areas. On the final day of the campaign, FridayMay 27th and in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone,150 students from 10 private schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabiwill contribute to the campaign by clearing the Corniche Beachof litter. Over 20 tons of waste is expected to be collectedfrom the various clean up sites.

Educative and awareness material will be on hand at the Abu DhabiInternational Marine Sports Club and on the Corniche to educateparticipants and passers-by on the dangers of marine debris andhow they can help keep our coastline clean. The Fishermen's Cooperativewill also be engaged in the campaign and will be delivered anawareness talk in the Hindi language about their role in keepingthe sea safe and clean.

ERWDA has been organizing clean-up campaigns with schools, diversand diving clubs for many years now, but it has stated that thismassive campaign is especially significant as it is a resultof the teamwork of so many organizations and is targeting manyvaried audiences at once such as students, general public andfishermen.

Majid Al Mansouri, ERWDA's Secretary General, said that thecampaign is in line with the agency's mission to protect theEmirate's marine environment and increase public awareness aboutthe impact of marine debris on marine habitats and biologicalresources.

"The message ERWDA is trying to pass through this campaignis that litter is not just a problem for the Government to solve.

The community plays a large role in keeping our seas safe andclean. A careless moment by us can impact our marine life throughour lifetime, our children's lifetime and future generations."added Al Mansouri.

Darwish A. Al Qubaisi, General Manager of ESNAAD, said "oursupport to this noble cause is in line with the ADNOC CorporatePolicy of protecting our entire environment with the broaderobjectives of fulfilling the social obligations to all residentsof Abu Dhabi." More about ERWDA ERWDA's mission is to assistthe Abu Dhabi Government in the conservation and management ofthe Emirate's natural environment, resources, wildlife and biologicaldiversity. This is to be done through scientific research, proactiveplanning and co-ordination, environmental awareness promotion,policy formulation and enforcement that balances sustainableeconomic development with protection of the environment for thisand future generations.