Iranian South Medical Journal (Jul 2024)
Social and Cultural Cleanup Program as an Effective Solution to Increase the Beachgoer Awareness and Mitigation of Marine Contamination Through Citizen Science: The Persian Gulf as a Case
Abstract
Background: Beachgoers have been identified as the primary contributors to contamination along the Persian Gulf in Bushehr port, where they frequently visit the beaches. In response to this issue, a comprehensive cleanup program was initiated by the Systems Environmental Health and Energy Re-search Center (SEHERC) with the valuable assistance of students from Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. The primary objective of this program was to enhance the environmental awareness and educa-tion of beachgoers. Materials and Methods: To effectively execute the cleanup program, a specific time slot during peak beachgoing hours (18:15-19:15) on May 13, 2023 and a prominent location at Bushehr beaches, namely Marjan Park, were strategically chosen, and the waste materials left on the beach by the beachgoers were collected during the cleanup program. Results: During the designated cleanup period, significant quantities of waste were successfully collected and categorized. Noteworthy items included 7622 cigarette butts (totaling 1.66 kg), bottle caps, disposable food packaging, bottles, various plastic items, disposable hookah mouthpieces, glass shards, drinking straws, fishing nets, plastic ropes, and discarded baby diapers that had been abandoned on the beach by the beachgoers. Conclusion: A notable achievement of this study was the active involvement and enthusiastic participa-tion of the beachgoers, particularly the children. Their engagement served as a catalyst for positive out-comes. Furthermore, recognizing the need for widespread impact, the local television station generously provided coverage of the program, thereby enhancing its reach and effectiveness.
