Mere days after our volunteers for Clean up the World removed large amounts of plastics and other non-organic waste from Seven Sisters shoreline its southern section got plastered in thick tarry oil from OS 35. This is very bad news for the area, which is a thriving ecosystem and Marine Reserve. It’s an area where fishing is forbidden and many can enjoy the rich marine life present via the Thinking Green underwater camera situated here.

While warnings had been issued regarding the potential for such pollution from the OS 35 to still occur, it was nevertheless shocking to witness Seven Sisters heavily tarred in this way.

The Department for the Environment has set up cleaning operations at the site with NGOs ESG and The Nautilus Project assisting with initial action. Garbed up, the enormity of the task was soon evident, as the thick, black oil on the rocky southern shore was very time consuming to remove and labour intensive. Mopping up with pads was the method advised. The clean up started.

It was very sad to see the impacts on the species that live in this intertidal zone with volunteers coming across many affected by the oil. ESG understands that a survey is underway by the department.

The ESG spokesperson said, “We have coordinated annual clean ups here since 2008 clearing historic fly tipping to annual removal of plastics and other waste that arrives by sea. “It’s a difficult area to access and the campaign has made the project possible with support and goodwill from various agencies and individuals. We are proud of the impact we have made to help keep this special area free from harmful waste. We were informed that our clean up last week enabled the current situation to focus on the oil without having first to remove what could have been sack-loads of oil contaminated plastics and other waste.” 

“However, this oil spill,” they add, “ is shocking, unprecedented in our experience, and way beyond our abilities.  It’s critical that all resources are provided to the frontline teams to remove the damaging oil from this special area, rich in marine life as fast as possible. A final toll of true impacts to the environment should be published. We just hope that no more leaks of this type will recur. It is imperative that the final stages in salvaging the vessel is within sight and that we see an end to the continuous pollution.”

Contractors are now based at Seven Sisters hoping to make a difference and the Department of the Environment are monitoring the clean up process.

The ESG and other NGOs will continue to help as much as possible regarding volunteers and providing other support.

The ESG wishes to thank ALL volunteers, team leaders, partners and sponsors for another energetic and successful Clean Up in Gibraltar. Civic Pride was shining loud and clear with schools, clubs, the young and not so young, shoulder to shoulder , eliminating harmful waste from many natural environments. Close to 500 volunteers helped remove 13 truckloads of waste from 20 plus sites. (see image attached) The ESG would like to give a special mention to the Base Team who look after team equipment and saw to everyone’s needs. A lot of hard work done there too!

Highlights include waste craned up from Seven Sisters; a few heritage sites, upper rock sites, beaches, various revetments, and more.

Hotspots of particular concern include open areas being used by commercial entities which also serve as public spaces and are poorly monitored, serviced and managed and end up becoming dangerous environments.

Reports, with feedback from team leaders, will now be compiled and the ESG will step up its campaign to see more action taken to address these hotspots and ensure our green spaces and coastal areas are better protected. We want to see greater efforts in deterrence and prevention and action taken on the lessons learnt after this Gibraltar wide clean up. Well done to all !

CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR PICS OF TEAMS ALONG WITH ESG PR ROUNDUP

Close to 500 volunteers ‘Clean Up the World’ in Gibraltar

CUTW 2022 will launch this Saturday morning together with 100s of countries and millions of volunteers around the world where citizens, NGOs and communities will be making efforts to help their environment. This demonstration of civic pride has proven to energise these issues locally in the past, as well as deliver immediate positive results. In this, our 19^th year, we value the response from our community in support of this campaign. Its clear people care about their environment.

 A busy Team leader meeting was held last week where planning and discussion of sites took place. Over 30 teams and 500+ volunteers will target sites throughout our homeland tackling out of the way green areas, underwater, coastal, and urban sites.

The prospect of further oil spills has led to a decision to postpone the Rosia Dive Clean up for now and will be rescheduled for a few weeks time.

The campaign will once again highlight the need for|:-

• more regular and thorough attention to be given to habitats and hotspots, especially during the summer months when the whole town is outdoors for much of the day and tourism numbers spike
• the need for visible application of fines and enforcement of our dumping and littering rules to serve as a real deterrent
• for increased and improved facilities and more signage to be displayed to promote pride in our environment (info for residents/ rubble tipping/ rubbish in hotspots)
• stricter monitoring of shared public spaces used by businesses and the community often leading to dangerous conditions and creating

The ESG is sent reports by members year round also concerned about the need to elevate our profile as a tourist destination. From entry points to Gibraltar, to key roads visible by all visitors, to keeping roads and pavements clean. However we all, as a community, have a role to play in this. The Clean up will highlight these issues via our hands on action as well as by lodging reports and pressing for more to be done.

A big thanks to all volunteers who have stepped up to help and to our sponsors for enabling the campaign to move forward every year. A 2022 Clean up Report will follow in the media.

We thank:-  Turicum Private Bank –   GBC Open Day Trust –   Bassadone Automotive Group –  888.com for their donations &  the Gibraltar Government for support given over the years

Today’s newsletter focuses on our participation in, and Gibraltar’s support of, the global environmental campaign Clean up the World. Together with 100s of countries and millions of volunteers around the world, Saturday 17^th will see extraordinary efforts made by citizens of all ages and backgrounds, as they take action to help their local environment.. This demonstration of civic pride has proved to energise these issues locally in the past, as well as deliver immediate positive results. In this, our 19^th year, we value the response from our community in support of this campaign. It is clear that many people do care about their environment though some clearly don’t appear to. We expect around 500 volunteers to target sites throughout Gibraltar, tackling out -of -the way green areas, coastal and some urban sites.

Of course many of the issues faced by the campaign are chronic and not solvable in a day of action. But highlighting these issues in a manner that also demonstrates civic pride is a golden opportunity that the ESG has backed for the past 19 years.  Unfortunately, this year, we shall see the absence of many of the services and departments which usually support us, due to the ongoing and worrying situation regarding OS 35, the stricken vessel grounded off Catalan Bay.

This maritime accident threatened to derail our clean up altogether, with concerns of oil pollution becoming a real threat once more, and it has in fact stopped the dive clean- up for the time being. We aim to reschedule this for a few weeks’ time when the situation with the vessel has hopefully stabilised once again. A separate team under the ESG will be on standby in case they are needed to help with any future oil clean ups.

 Last week a busy Team leader meeting was held where planning and discussion of sites and issues took place. We also welcomed new teams and partners. Several schools and other educational establishments, as well as clubs and a few businesses, make up the main teams involved, so much awareness will be raised. Determined to make a difference to many sites around Gibraltar, we hope the community will acknowledge and support the volunteers in their work.

Reports on the Clean up always follow, and continue throughout the year. There are always ongoing challenges and issues relating to litter and dumping in our small, but beautiful town and we will make several recommendations to the authorities on the back of the focus of this year’s clean up.

We couldn’t do this without the great support from the community and we thank all volunteers and sponsors including:  Turicum Private Bank, GBC Open Day Trust, Bassadone Automotive Group and 888.com for their donations, and the Department of the Environment for the assistance given.

Details of the 2022 Clean up will follow in the media and on our website esg-gib.net after the weekend.                                                                                                                      

Thanks for listening.

“The ESG is watching the scenario unfold off the Caleta coastline with deep concern.

It is alarming to see heavy fuel now escaping boom containment and moving into open water. Impacts will be damaging to our natural environment and indeed to our communities should tides move this slick onto land- we do not understand how this spill has not been contained, running clearly past the containment boom.

We are concerned the worst-case scenario could now be before us and feel saddened and angry for our environment. The ESG hopes recovery efforts as described are as successful as possible in limiting the spread and removal of oil –even though, as is well established, traces of this contamination will remain in the environment for some time to come.

The group adds it is willing to assist wherever possible and calls on the public to report any sightings of affected wildlife to the Department of the Environment.”