Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) President Kim Woong-seo announced that on April 21 the organization conducted a cleanup at the Gamji Beach in Yeongdo-gu, Busan. President Kim and 30 KIOST employees, observing COVID-19 prevention protocols, collected waste styrofoam and plastic washed ashore along the 2km-long Gamji coastline.

Marine waste refers to land debris inflowing via lakes, to or abandoned fishing buoys; these wastes then break down into small particles called microplastics, circulate on waters worldwide and are ingested by marine organisms. Marine wastes have emerged as a major social issue. 

KIOST has conducted intensive research on reducing and recycling marine waste. In 2019, the Institute developed and provided to the private sector technology for producing an eco-friendly buoy, and is currently studying methods of recycling collected marine wastes.

In addition to coastal cleanups, KIOST has continuously engaged in diverse social contribution activities to promote co-prosperity with local communities, including assistance to local agricultural, fishing and floriculture farms, and donation of COVID-19 prevention products and funding.

President Kim remarked, “To have a clean and safe sea, we must reduce marine wastes, and KIOST will actively address marine waste issues through research on its prevention, collection.”