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Last Updated: Sep 19, 2017 - 2:41:48 PM |
Lucaya International School and EARTHCARE, Gold Rock Beach, International Coastal Cleanup 2017, excellent results
By Gail Woon, EARTHCARE
Sep 19, 2017 - 2:29:39 PM
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Gail Woon, Zone Captain, explains how to fill out the Data Cards for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2017
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Grand Bahama Island - Early on Saturday morning, September 16th, 2017 twenty-eight 28 students from Lucaya International School on Grand Bahama Island and 6 EARTHCARE volunteers arrived at Gold Rock Beach International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC) 2017, at Lucayan National Park, in east Grand Bahama Island. Gail Woon, Zone Captain for Gold Rock Beach was very happy to have worked, once again, with the students from Lucaya International School (LIS) and EARTHCARE volunteers.
A grand total of 822 pounds of marine debris was collected, recorded and bagged for collection for the Gold Rock Beach zone. All students took great satisfaction in seeing the beach cleaned up, collecting some unusual items. Litter is a major environmental problem. Most of the marine debris collected was as expected; fast food containers, beverage bottles and plastic bags; none of which are biodegradable and all of which, with a little effort, could have been carried to an appropriate dumping point. All students agree that the next step in their efforts to keep the beaches clean and pristine must focus on a more powerful public awareness campaign to try and eliminate what has become a serious blemish to our sea shores.
Group of LIS students recording data as they clean Gold Rock Beach for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2017
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The most unusual item found was a 300 lb piece of rope belonging to a very large vessel, possibly a cruise ship. Matthew Lowe’s group consisting of Matthew, Tom Paine, Nicolas Rulli, Nicholas Hulme, Gerardo Cabassa and James Pierson worked hard unburying the behemoth. Matthew commented, “We found a piece of rope that was buried and as we unearthed it, it got longer and longer. We were able to get as much as we could, then we had to cut it in order to move it. It is at least 4 inches thick and we estimate it weighs approximately 300 lbs.”
Quincy Gordon said, “This is my last year at LIS but I have been participating in this cleanup with Ms. Woon for the past 3 years and hope to continue if possible in years to come.” Abigail Lowery, 6 year old daughter of Michael Lowery said that she had fun cleaning the beach. Her Father, Head of School, LIS commented that his daughter actually might have found more marine debris than some of the older high school students.
The students filled out the data cards which will be returned to The Ocean Conservancy in Washington, D.C. where the information will be compiled into a report of the state of marine debris throughout the entire globe. Grand Bahama Island has been participating with The Ocean Conservancy through the Ministry of Tourism for 30 years. Jeffrey Pinder and his team from the Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Committee are to be commended for their coordination of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. It was a very successful day from West End to East End, Grand Bahama Island.
Havana and Savanna Gibson, EARTHCARE volunteers weigh the marine debris during ICC 2017
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“This year we coordinated with Michael Lowery, Head of School. The operation was very efficient, we went in, did the work and made sure the marine debris was put in a dumpster that will be collected by the appropriate authority. This annual activity makes me feel that there, indeed, very much, is hope for the future for our kids and the marine environment,” said Ms. Woon, Zone Captain and Founder of EARTHCARE.
Students participating from Lucaya International included: Matthew Lowe, Tamia Grey, Gerardo Cabasaa, Quincy Gordon, Jeremiah Jarret, Tom Paine, Devon Lubin, Nick Hulme, Nicolas Rulli, Jimmy Pierson, Alejandro Cabassa, Chris Paul, Nichana Miller, Adjohnae Wildgoose, Timothy Newbold, Ure Saunders, Uri Williams, Kariel Stuart, Brickelle Sands, Tyler Davenport, Arekha Hall, Arzah Laing, Isabelle Law, Megan Roos, Abigail Lowery (6 years old), Zariah Knowles and Annabelle Purvis. Michael Lowery, Head of High School, LIS, coordinated the group. EARTHCARE volunteers Havana Gibson, Savanna Gibson, Candice Woon, Tyrie Moss and Michael Marshall also assisted.
LIS and EARTHCARE volunteers with 822 lbs of marine debris at Gold Rock Beach, Bahamas for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2017
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Havana and Savanna Gibson, EARTHCARE volunteers cleaning Gold Rock Beach for International Coastal Cleanup Day
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