It is aimed at creating awareness about the importance of conserving oceans for sustainable development that contribute to economic growth, development and for recreational purposes.

In September, communities around the world take part in the world’s biggest coastal clean-up.

During the ICCD, observed on the third Saturday of September each year, organisations and individuals across the globe take part in Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Clean-up to remove trash and debris from the world's beaches and waterways, identify the sources of the debris and change behaviours that allow it to reach the ocean in the first place.