Divers and volunteers will mobilize this Sunday to remove waste from the seabed and the coastal area of Siboney Beach in Santiago de Cuba, during an environmental event open to community participation.
The Santiago de Cuba Divers Association called for the initiative since August 10, scheduled for Sunday the 30th, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., with the aim of “restoring Siboney's natural shine.”
“People of Santiago, next Sunday, August 30, we are taking over Siboney! No, this isn’t an invasion. It’s a declaration of love for our most beloved beach,” wrote the organization.
The event will be divided into two groups. The group called "Water Team" will consist of recreational divers who will be responsible for cleaning the seabed.
The association invited other divers to participate by bringing their own equipment and joining what they called a "submarine patrol."
On land, a second group of volunteers will work to collect the waste present in the sand and other areas of the coast. Those who join are advised to bring gloves and sunscreen.
"We know that what lies beneath the water is just as valuable as what we see on the surface," the group stated while explaining the reasons for the mobilization.
The meeting point will be the Siboney Beach Sports Complex. According to the organizers, no prior experience is necessary to participate in the ground activities. They also requested attendees to bring a water bottle.
"You don't need to be an expert, just have the desire," the announcement stated, also asking those interested to comment "I'M IN" on the post and share it to increase participation.
"The beach belongs to everyone, and together we take care of it," concluded the association.
This environmental action is particularly significant as it coincides with the end of summer, a time when coastal areas often display greater signs of pollution, and it takes place in Siboney, one of the main beaches of Santiago de Cuba.
The Santiago-based group has gained visibility in recent days for its calls to defend marine ecosystems.
Just a few days ago, it raised concerns about the captures and deaths of sharks reported in different areas of Cuba and warned about the impact that the disappearance of these predators could have on the balance of the ecosystem.
On that occasion, the divers also acknowledged the impact of the economic and food crisis on some of those practices.
"The economic crisis is real. Hunger is real. And in times of desperation, people seek to survive in any way they can," they stated.
The mobilization in Siboney also takes place amidst repeated complaints about the accumulation of waste and the deterioration of coastal areas in various Cuban provinces.
This month, images of Playa Mayabeque showed trash and cans accumulating both on the shore and in the water, while numerous swimmers continued to visit the area.
Days later, residents demonstrated a similar situation at La Boca beach, in Camagüey, where litter was accumulating in various areas of the resort.
Citizen initiatives to clean up trash from Cuba's coastlines are not new either.
In September 2024, children and volunteers participated in a beach cleanup event in Havana where 100 kilograms of waste and recyclable materials were collected.
In 2019, independent youth also took part in a beach cleanup in Trinidad, another community experience aimed at removing waste and protecting the coastal environment.
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