Saving the Otter’s Paradise: How 4,500 Liters of Waste Were Cleared from Gadeokdo Island

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 trash 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 Union) mobilized after receiving a direct request from the Cheonseong Fishermen's Association. On April 20, in honor 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: 4,500 Liters Recovered

The sheer volume of waste was staggering. In just one day, the volunteers collected 4,500 liters of debris.

  • Beyond Household Trash: The team even recovered large industrial waste, including abandoned refrigerators that had washed up on the shore.

  • Tackling the Odor: For the local fishermen, this trash wasn't just an eyesore; it caused foul odors and hindered their daily preparations for fishing trips.

Gu Jong-seong, 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 trash back home. As volunteer Nam Young-hee noted, "Seeing a discarded refrigerator on the beach made me realize 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. Union President Lee Young-no emphasized that this is part of their ongoing "Nature, Let’s Be Green" (자연아 푸르자) 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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