On February 10, 2000, some 80 scuba divers from Israel and Jordan joined together to clean up the sea floor in some of the most popular swimming beaches in Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba. The project was the joint effort of the Israeli Ministry of Environment and Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME).
Nearly four tons of garbage - from plastic bottles to nylon bags - were removed from the water by volunteer divers. Participants also included instructors and members from diving clubs on both sides of the border, the Nature and National Parks Protection Authority, and a number of groups and individuals.
In addition to the cleanup itself, the project was meant to increase public awareness of the sensitivity of the area and to enhance cooperation between Eilat and Aqaba.
Peace Turtles
In a first-of-its-kind, historic event, 20 Hawksbill sea turtles hatched in the Underwater Observatory Marine Park in Eilat this past summer were released in Aqaba, in a joint project of the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Friends of the Earth Middle East, the Ministry of Environment and the Nature and Parks Authority.
On April 14, 2000, Israeli participants left the Observatory in boats, heading towards the Jordanian side of the beautiful bay. Their goal was to release 20 Hawksbill sea turtles near Aqaba in cooperation with divers, children and scientists from Jordan. The sea turtles are a protected species in danger of extinction. As part of a special release program, the turtles were hatched and raised in the Marine Park and returned to nature.
Friends of the Earth Middle East is an umbrella organization representing environmental NGOs in the Middle East, building partnerships to promote ecologically sound development in the region.