Saving the Otter's Paradise: How 4500 Litres of Waste Were Cleared from Gadeokdo Island
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| On 20th April, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Busan-Gyeongnam Western Branch is collecting litter at Cheonseong Port while conducting the 'Let Nature Flourish' campaign |
◆ A Hidden Sanctuary Under Threat
Gadeokdo Island's Cheonseonghang Port is a place of rare beauty. It is a known habitat for the Eurasian Otter (Natural Monument No. 330), a first-class endangered species that requires the cleanest of waters to survive. However, as the port became a hotspot for campers and anglers, it faced a silent crisis: a mountain of illegally dumped litter and marine debris that began to overwhelm both the ecosystem and the local fishermen.
◆ An Answer to a Local Cry for Help
This wasn't just a routine cleanup. The Shincheonji Volunteer Group (Busan-Gyeongnam Western Branch) mobilised after receiving a direct request from the Cheonseong Fishermen's Association. On 20th April, in honour of Earth Day, 70 dedicated volunteers from six branches—Busan, Masan, Geoje, Jinhae, Yangsan, and Tongyeong—converged on the port. Their mission was clear: restore the home of the otters and the livelihood of the fishermen.
◆ The Massive Scale: 4500 Litres Recovered
The sheer volume of waste was staggering. In just one day, the volunteers collected 4500 litres of debris.
- Beyond Household Litter: The team even recovered large industrial waste, including abandoned refrigerators that had washed up on the shore.
- Tackling the Odour: For the local fishermen, this litter wasn't just an eyesore; it caused foul odours and hindered their daily preparations for fishing trips.
Jong-seong Gu, head of the Fishermen's Association, expressed his deep gratitude: “Marine waste flows in endlessly with the tide. Having a large-scale group like Shincheonji come and clear it all at once is incredibly effective. We couldn't ask for more.”
Cultivating “Basic Civic Awareness”
While the cleanup was a success, the volunteers also focused on the root of the problem. They launched an awareness campaign for visitors, reminding everyone that protecting the ocean starts with a simple act: taking your litter back home. As volunteer Young-hee Nam noted, “Seeing a discarded refrigerator on the beach made me realise the severity of ocean pollution. It's up to all of us to maintain this beauty through basic civic responsibility.”
A Promise for a Greener Tomorrow
This wasn't a one-time event. Branch Director Young-no Lee emphasised that this is part of their ongoing "Nature, Let's Be Green" initiative. The group pledged to maintain a long-term partnership with Cheonseong Port to ensure the otters—and the community—have a clean environment to thrive in.
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