Russia has launched an ambitious new environmental initiative, the ‘Clean Coast’ project, leveraging cutting-edge technology to combat the pervasive issue of marine pollution across its vast coastline. This innovative program aims to systematically clean coastal areas and actively research the problem of environmental contamination, building upon a successful pilot launched in 2021 within the Kronotsky Reserve and South Kamchatka Sanctuary. It was in these vital natural habitats that neural networks were first deployed for advanced marine debris monitoring, a technique now central to the expanded project, spearheaded by the Fund for Nature Defenders with crucial backing from the Presidential Nature Fund.
The urgency of this undertaking is underscored by experts on the ground. Vsevolod Yakovlev, acting director of the Kronotsky State Reserve, emphasized that environmental pollution represents the primary threat to Kamchatka’s unparalleled ecosystems, which are home to vital habitats for rare marine mammals. ‘Environmental pollution is the most dangerous phenomenon for nature, followed by poaching. Therefore, this project is vitally important for achieving our main goal – preserving biological diversity,’ Yakovlev stated, extending gratitude to partners for their collaborative efforts in this critical work.
Beyond mere waste collection, the ‘Clean Coast’ project introduces a sophisticated methodological approach. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the initiative will analyze satellite imagery and drone data to precisely identify coastal areas with significant waste accumulation, quantify its volume, and determine its composition. This data-driven strategy promises to revolutionize cleanup operations, enabling more efficient planning and accurate assessments of ecological damage. As Pyotr Shpilenok, director of the Fund for Nature Defenders, articulated, the project’s core ambition is to develop a comprehensive methodology that will simplify and significantly reduce the cost of coastal cleanup efforts nationwide.
The project officially commenced its initial operations in the South Kamchatka Sanctuary in early October. Plans are already in motion to extend cleanup activities to other ecologically sensitive regions across Russia, including the country’s eastern maritime borders in Primorsky Krai, the Baltic Sea coast in Kaliningrad Oblast, and the Caspian Sea region of Dagestan. Concurrently, an innovative educational program will be launched, designed to empower activists and volunteers dedicated to preserving coastal purity. This program will distil insights gained from field expeditions into practical training, equipping volunteers with the skills to utilize artificial intelligence for effective monitoring and organized cleanup campaigns.
Early results from the ‘Clean Coast’ project are already demonstrating tangible impact. On the Okhotsk Sea coast of the South Kamchatka Sanctuary, approximately three tons of marine debris have been successfully removed this year. The bulk of the collected waste consisted of discarded fishing gear and plastic packaging – a common and destructive form of oceanic pollution. This initial cleanup operation saw the dedicated involvement of state inspectors from the Kronotsky Reserve and local residents, with logistical support for waste removal generously provided by employees of Ozerovsky Fish Cannery No. 55, underscoring a powerful model of community and industry collaboration in environmental stewardship.