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Last Updated: Sep 21, 2017 - 12:22:04 PM |
Team JetBlue taking part in the cleanup
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Nassau, Bahamas – Hurricane Irma could not deter volunteers from participating in the 32nd Annual International Coastal Cleanup which took place recently at South Beach. This global initiative has helped remove over 228 million pounds of marine litter from more than 312,000 miles of coastlines and waterways since it began in 1985.
International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest one-day volunteer event created to prevent and eliminate pollution of the marine environment. This year, volunteers in New Providence turned out to clean-up beaches and wetlands. The event, which began as a local program in Texas, has gradually expanded to include every major body of water in the world in over 91 countries, including The Bahamas.
“Hurricane Irma tried to throw us off our efforts but did not succeed. We were very happy to be able to not only host the International Cleanup but have such a positive turnout of volunteers,” said Annette Dempsey, Director of Education for Blue Lagoon Island/Dolphin Encounters and the New Providence Coordinator for ICC. “Corporate and civic organizations, students and concerned neighbours all came out to help rid South Beach from 7,973 pieces of trash. Sadly, we found everything from hot water heaters, car parts, construction materials and so much more discarded debris. Each volunteer worked together and made a huge impact. It took many people working as a unified team to make a real difference and we thank everyone who participated.
Making a difference during International Coastal Cleanup
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“We also encouraged each volunteer to take on the Six-Week Trash-Free Challenge, selecting one activity each week to reduce the amount of trash each person makes,” stated Ms. Dempsey. “A trash-free sea is possible when we commit to the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – and ensure that trash is properly disposed of every day.”
Volunteers combed the beach, shrubs and mangroves of South Beach for two hours. The top ten debris items collected included glass pieces, glass and plastic beverage bottles, construction materials, picnic items (cups, plates, knives, spoons), food wrappers and containers, caps, lids, paper and plastic bags.
Also participating in the clean up were volunteers from: AF Adderley; Bahamar; Bahamas National Trust; Blue Lagoon Island; BREEF; Brownies; CC Sweeting Senior High School; Caribbean Bottling Company; CV Bethell; Dolphin Encounters Ltd.; Doris Johnson High School; EFG Bank; Ernst & Young; GGYA; G Holdings Assoc.; Jet Blue; Lowe’s Wholesale; RM Bailey; Rotaract Clubs; St. Andrews School; and the University of The Bahamas.
Team JetBlue taking part in the cleanup
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As volunteers scoured the beach for hours, they sorted their refuse by type and recorded their findings on detailed data cards. The data cards will be submitted to the Ocean Conservancy to help them continue to track common types of litter and try to prevent these items from ending up on coasts in the future.
This year’s sponsors include: Asa H. Pritchard; Aquapure; Bahamas Food Services; Bahamas Wholesale Agency; Bahamas Waste; Bahamas Experience Tours; Blue Lagoon Island; Caribbean Bottling Company Bahamas Ltd.; D'Albenas Agency; Dan Knowles Tours; Department of Environmental Health; Dolphin Encounters Ltd.; Island Wholesale; Leisure Tours; Lowe’s Wholesale Drug Agencies Ltd.; Majestic Tours; The Mall at Marathon; Morely Realty Ltd.; Mr. Johnson’s Bus Service; Purity Bakery; Randy C & DJ Energy; The Bahamas National Trust; T&K Trucking; Waste Not Bahamas; Coca-Cola is the global sponsor of ICC and the Caribbean Bottling Company, the producers of Coke in The Bahamas, sponsored the event in Nassau.
“Coca-Cola has supported ocean and waterways cleanup efforts for over 20 years and we are pleased to see the program develop further,” said Walter Wells, President and CEO of Caribbean Bottling Company. “We have committed ourselves to improving the quality of life in the communities where we do business and the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is a perfect fit for The Bahamas. This event drives home the important message of keeping our environment clean.”
Large amounts of trash was cleared from the beach and mangroves at South beach during International Coastal Cleanup
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“The International Coastal Cleanup engages people to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways, to identify the sources of debris, and to change the behaviours that cause pollution,” added Robert Meister, Managing Director of Blue Lagoon Island, home of Dolphin Encounters. “The event isn’t just about pollution clean-up it’s about pollution prevention. International Coastal Cleanup focuses on educating and empowering people to become a part of the marine debris solution. We thank each and every volunteer and sponsor that participated - you each made a valuable contribution to our environment. As a coastal community, keeping our ocean and waterways clean is vital to our environment and way of life. Together we can preserve our coasts and create a “sea of change.”
Dolphin Encounters – Project B.E.A.C.H. holds beach cleanups throughout the year - contact Annette Dempsey at 363-7180 ext. 303 or email education@dolphinencounters.com for more information. Or visit www.dolphinencounters.com. To learn more about International Coastal Cleanup visit www.oceanconservancy.org.
Bahamas Waste helps take the trash away after cleanup
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