SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has collaborated with GEMS Education to bring together 42 schools to actively participate in a community clean-up initiative. The joint initiative aims to raise awareness and educate the public about single-use plastic pollution and its impact on marine life.

Classrooms across GEMS schools were encouraged to submit videos of themselves cleaning up their local communities, with the winning classroom being awarded a trip to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The winning classroom’s video was showcased on the park’s large screens, amplifying the message of environmental responsibility to a broader audience.

In addition to the competition, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be displaying an blue whale sculpture that was created using recycled plastic by the collective effort of students and dedicated teachers from Dubai’s GEMS Legacy School. It took more than 800 hours of work to turn discarded plastic into a tribute to marine life. Measuring 18 metres in length, the sculpture comes close to the actual size of blue whales, which typically range from 21 to 24 metres and will be on display at the guest parking of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Thomas Kaferle, Abu Dhabi General Manager at SeaWorld Yas Island, said: “SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is honoured to join forces with GEMS Education to champion a sustainable future for our planet. By promoting responsible practices and engaging the community, we aim to ensure that our ocean and marine life continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Crafted from 8,000 plastic bottles and 1,000 plastic bags, this limited-time-only installation stands as a symbol of the strong commitment of the participating children and teachers towards environmental conservation. This eco-friendly project was built with the aim of improving climate literacy by engaging young minds in creative activities.

Asha Alexander, CEO/Principal of GEMS Legacy School, Dubai and Executive Leader – Climate Change of GEMS Education, said: “I am thrilled to see the whale artifact finding its place at SeaWorld, Abu Dhabi. It stands as a powerful symbol of the collaborative efforts of GEMS Education staff and students in raising awareness about plastic pollution. Together, we're making a meaningful impact and inspiring others to join us in safeguarding our oceans and marine life.”