JEDDAH: A major cleanup initiative titled “Our Sea, Our Responsibility,” to safeguard the Red Sea’s marine ecosystems, was launched in Jeddah on Thursday.

The participants include the Saudi Red Sea Authority, Border Guard, Jeddah Municipality, Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation, National Center for Wildlife, and General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea.

The initiative focuses on removing hazardous seabed debris that poses a direct threat to coral reefs and marine biodiversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Special diving teams conducted underwater surveys and retrieval operations, followed by rigorous sorting, documentation, and safe disposal of recovered waste.

The campaigners removed over 500 kg of waste and general pollutants, including more than 4,000 meters of abandoned fishing lines.