l On May 29, POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group collects 1 ton of ocean wastes from Baeal Island, Gwangyang
l The Fishermen’s Association of Gwangyang released 100,000 black sea breams
l POSCO CEO Jeong-Woo Choi participates in the activities to restore the marine ecosystem, along with local residents
POSCO (CEO Jeong-Woo Choi) conducted cleaning activities in Baeal Island, Gwangyang on May 29, while complying with the government’s COVID-19 policy, ‘Distancing in Daily Life’.
About 30 members of POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group carried out activities that included collecting 1 ton of various ocean wastes — such as plastic, fishing nets, and rubber tires — and starfish, that are harmful to the marine ecosystem.
With the Fishermen’s Association of Gwangyang, they also released 100,000 black sea breams into the ocean to devise fishery resources for the future. The Talent Volunteer Groups from POSCO, POSCO Energy, and SNNC renovated local facilities by repainting walls and installing a shelter made of solar panels to help improve the livelihood of local residents.
On this day, POSCO CEO Jeong-Woo Choi participated in the activities and said, “POSCO will continue with marine restoration activities that enable the marine ecosystem to thrive and become healthier. POSCO will play its part as a Corporate Citizen and nurture shared growth with society.” South Jeolla Province Chairman Yong-Jae Lee, Gwangyang City Chairman Sung-Hee Kim, Yeosu Coast Guard Station Chief Chul-Woo Lee, as well as local residents, including members of the Fishermen’s Association of Gwangyang, participated in the volunteer activities.
Launched in 2009, POSCO Clean Ocean Volunteer Group is one of the most active scuba diving volunteer groups in South Korea with over 150 POSCO employees from Pohang, Gwangyang, and Seoul participating. So far, they’ve collected 1,710 tons of marine debris through 560 underwater clean-up activities over the past decade.
On May 16 and 17, POSCO also installed 100 Triton artificial reef and 750 Triton blocks underwater to foster a sea forest and restore the marine ecosystem in Ulleung Island. Triton is made with steel slag, a by-product of the steelmaking process, and has high mineral content such as calcium and iron, which are useful for marine ecosystems than general aggregates. Triton facilitates the growth of marine algae and stimulates photosynthesis, thus purifying contaminated seawater and deposits.
▲ POSCO CEO Jeong-Woo Choi participating in cleaning activities along with POSCO Volunteers for Clean Ocean in Baeal Island, Gwangyang.
▲ POSCO, along with the members of the Fishermen’s Association of Gwangyang, is releasing 100,000 black sea breams into the ocean.
▲ POSCO taking a group photograph after finishing volunteer activities in Gwangyang