ST. MICHAELS, Md. — Yamaha Marine launched Yamaha Rightwaters on World Ocean Day last Saturday. The company made its initial announcement of the endeavor during a media event on Maryland’s eastern shore last week.

“This is a new national sustainability campaign designed to improve habitats, control invasive species, and support scientific research to clean up waterways,” said Yamaha marine communications coordinator Matthew Smith, who announced the initiative to media during the event. “It’s an umbrella for the conservation initiatives that Yamaha has developed for years.”

The launch coordinated with a public-service project that targeted the Georgia coast and collected 2.3 tons of debris. The local effort is just the beginning of a far-reaching national sustainability program for the Georgia-based Yamaha U.S. marine business unit.

“Yamaha Rightwaters is fighting to protect our most precious and essential natural resource – water,” said Yamaha Marine’s government relations division manager Martin Peters in a statement. “It will embody all of our company’s conservation initiatives, as well as become a platform for many plans the company has in store to improve water resources.”

Through the initiative, Yamaha will also focus on removing marine debris — specifically plastic, said Peters.

Currently, Yamaha Rightwaters is developing a pilot device engineered with Yamaha electric power and control systems that will automatically remove floating debris from waterways, Peters told Trade Only Today during the event.

Yamaha Rightwaters intends to deploy its first device in coastal Georgia in early 2020.

Yamaha Rightwaters is also working with organizations such as the Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society to improve conservation techniques and mitigate invasive species. They support habitat restoration projects with organizations such as the Coastal Conservation Association.

Yamaha plans to participate in more activities to conserve natural resources and support sustainable recreational fishing and water resources.

Yamaha has a history of natural resource conservation. Within the last five years, Yamaha has supported Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, WoundedNature.org, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, OCEARCH, the National Aquarium and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

In addition, Yamaha vigorously supported the Save Our Seas Act, S. 3508 on Capitol Hill. The act was signed into law on Oct. 11, 2018.

Yamaha Marine has also developed and published an Angler Code of Ethics to ensure that all Yamaha pro anglers adhere to principles of conservation and stewardship of all marine resources.

“Yamaha is the only outboard company in the industry with a code of ethics agreed to by its pro staff and employees,” said Smith during the event.

Yamaha Marine also worked with the American Sportfishing Association and the FishSmart Foundation to produce a series of videos that aim to educate offshore anglers about the importance of using descending devices to reduce the mortality rate of fish in catch-and-release fishing situations.

Yamaha Rightwaters conducted the World Oceans Day and Coastal Georgia Clean Up campaign to prevent plastic and other debris from entering the ocean.

In sponsorship with Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, the Coastal Georgia Clean Up effort united 18 nonprofit, educational and governmental organizations in a simultaneous removal of litter. The group collected 4,572 pounds — 2.3 tons — of trash, including more than 5,200 cigarette butts and 19 tires.

“Sponsoring a coast-wide cleanup in our home state on World Oceans Day is a great way to launch Yamaha Rightwaters and bring national attention to the plight of our oceans,” said Peters. “Conservation is a cornerstone of our business, and we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that ensure clean water and sustainable fisheries for everyone.”