"The activity is part of Sail Wakatobi Belitong (WSB) 2011 event and aimed at preserving marine ecology," Harun, the chairman of the organizing committee of the beach clean up movement said.
The students are from elementary, junior and senior high schools in the Sijuk sub district. "The participants are enthusiastically clean up various wastes found along the beach," he said.
Protecting the cleanliness of seas is important because it could increase the population of fish, according to him.
"We will continuously encourage the local residents to participate actively in protecting marine environment by providing trash cans and organizing public awareness campaigns," he said.
Bangka Belitung (Babel) Province has been busy making preparations for the peak event of Sail Wakatobi Belitong (WWB) 2011 which will be officially closed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on October 13, 2011.
The Sail Wakatobi Belitong activities in Belitung District started last October 5 and will last until October 13, 2011 consisting of sports competitions, art performances and exhibitions.
President Yudhoyono is scheduled to be present at the peak event and officially see off participants of the international yacht rally joined by 120 yachts from 20 countries from the continents of Asia, Australia and Europe.
At least 500 traditional fishing boats will take part in a decorated fishing boat parade. Almost 75 percent of Bangka Belitung`s population are traditional fishermen.
The head of state will also watch a record breaking underwater chess game organized to highlight the SWB-2011.
Other activities will include national and international seminars on marine resources and fishery management, a marine youth gathering, and a marine and fishery product exhibition.
(SYS/F001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
