Massive 250kg Debris Cleaned from Sindhudurg Coral Reefs in Landmark Ocean Cleanup Initiative | Mumbai News

Navi Mumbai: India’s first large-scale ocean floor cleanup operation was launched in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg coral reefs on Wednesday, with seven certified scuba divers collecting around 250 kg of non-biodegradable waste from the seabed.
This pioneering initiative to restore marine biodiversity and ecosystems, led by state agencies and involving several NGOs, targeted a 150m radius near Sindhudurg Fort.
The cleanup process involved careful extraction, bundling, and disposal of mainly discarded or lost nylon fishing nets, which are complicated further by underwater challenges.
Maharashtra-based senior scientist Ashok Kadam of Fisheries Survey of India told TOI, “This is the first ocean floor cleanup drive to be organised by govt and private bodies together. The programme was conceptualised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of India to raise awareness about our ocean conservation and keeping our coasts clean, plastic free. The MPCB and fisheries department have taken the lead in this regard.”
The initiative was led by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Fisheries Survey of India (Mumbai base), NGO Vanashakti along with local partners like state fisheries department, Malvan Nagar Parishad, Neelkranti, Youth Beats for Environment, Maharashtra Maritime Board, and the Malvan Tourist Group.
Kadam further said that the Union ministry has earmarked funds of around Rs 40 crore for conducting awareness programmes with regards to keeping our oceans and coasts clean. School and college students will also be involved in future cleanup drives, he added.
Marine debris, including ghost nets abandoned or lost during fishing operations, often drifts with ocean currents, entangling corals and devastating marine life. Animals such as crabs, fish, and turtles frequently become ensnared in this debris, leading to painful fatalities and severe disruption of the ecosystem. “Additionally, these ghost nets detract from the natural beauty of the region, impacting tourism in Malvan, a hotspot for coral reef exploration and marine education,” said environmentalist D Stalin of Vanashakti.
Local fishermen have welcomed this effort, recognising its potential to boost sustainable fisheries by creating healthier marine ecosystems.