Dive Cleanup with Hidy Yu

On 19th January 2024, the S.E.A. Aquarium Research & Conservation team kicked off Ocean Advocates for the year with a dive cleanup at Seringat-Kias Island, guided by our in-house dive masters from S.E.A.A. Dive Operations. A total of 18 divers participated, consisting of Resorts World Sentosa team members (RWS TMs) and a special guest—ADEX ambassador for Ghost Net Hunter Hidy Yu, whom S.E.A.A. hosted from 17th to 20th January 2024.

Braving the low visibility and strong currents, our divers completed two dives to collect marine debris from the seabed. Fishing lines, fishing lures, plastic bottles and plastic bags comprised the majority of debris collected; while some of these items may seem small and negligible, their impact on the ecosystem can be wide-ranging, causing injury, starvation and suffocation to marine animals in both direct and indirect ways. Fishing lines, hooks and lures were often found entangled in coral reefs; the volume of these discarded fishing gear likely come from fishing activities in and around the Southern islands. Their abundance also serves as a reminder for anglers to properly and responsibly dispose of or recycle fishing lines when they are obsolete.

Hidy Yu disentangling and cutting a fishing line from a coral

A total of 11kg of marine debris was collected on this cleanup, including 30 fishing lines and lures, 37 plastic bags and 106 beverage bottles! The team would like to extend their gratitude to all TMs and Hidy Yu for their involvement in this cleanup, as we look forward to another successful year ahead for Ocean Advocates in 2024.

Want to volunteer with S.E.A.A. in 2024? Write in to enquire at seaavolunteer@rwsentosa.com.