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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
EARTHCARE members and Bahamas Immigration Department volunteers performed the second underwater cleanup at Discovery Beach on July 23rd along with concerned citizens. "We cleaned a quarter mile or 400 meters of ocean bottom at Discovery Beach,” said Gail Woon, Founder of EARTHCARE and a director of Save The Bays.
The objective of the event was to rid the seafloor of marine debris, and
trash bags and light refreshments were provided. Volunteers snorkeled
to remove trash and it was bagged ashore. The event was open to the
public.
“Individuals of all ages can make an important difference in the overall health of our ocean by the actions they take every day. Simple things like picking up trash on the beach, recycling and conserving water can have a big impact on the health of our ocean.” – Ted Danson, Oceana Board member. His words have fortunately proved true today as evidenced by the results of our EARTHCARE Underwater Cleanup. “I am elated with the results of today’s cleanup. The sea was calm, 25 volunteers collected trash in water up to 8 feet deep. We filled six large trash bags. A huge thanks goes out to all that showed up to help,” said Woon.
Ryan Carroll, a concerned yacht captain and former commercial fisherman, who initiated the idea of underwater cleanups in 2013, said, “Light winds and calm seas greeted us as we dived in the water at Discovery Bay beach. Lots of plastic bags and remnants, a few bottles, all accumulated since our last clean up here about 3 years ago.”
“The area under the surface of the water is a place that most people don’t see, so it often is ignored. We must stop the abuse of our oceans! Healthy oceans are crucial to protecting us from the harmful effects of climate change because they can store large amounts of carbon dioxide. Marine wildlife is dying from plastic ingestion and entanglement.
Things you can do:
- Eliminate or minimize your use of disposable plastics.
- Purchase products with a minimum of plastic packaging.
- Do not buy beauty products that contain microbeads which are being found in many marine creatures now causing the death of the organisms.
- Minimize or eliminate the need for takeout containers.
- Purchase items secondhand to reduce waste.
- Support a plastic bag tax or ban.
“We encourage everyone to join this worthy cause and hope to see you all at the next clean up,” said Justin Snisky.
Items found underwater included plastics of all sorts, especially bags such as potable water bags used by sailboats and garbage bags, fishing gear, rope, nets, hooks, lines, and metal sheets to name a few.
Volunteers who helped with this underwater cleanup effort included Ryan Carroll, Angelina Rahming, Havana Gibson, Savanna Gibson, Justin Snisky, Justin Snisky II, James Snisky, Jason Snisky, Terence Nixon, Ana-Alicia Carroll, Gail Woon, Peyton Douglas, Jack Nash, Michael Marshall, Kenya Stubbs, LeChea Charles, Keitron Meadows, Jamaal Seymour, Antonio Forde, Tristan Major, Deana Simmons, Anique Murphy, Tramyne Preupel, Letitia Parker, Shontes Hall, Erin Cordes and Robbie Cordes.
Ana-Alicia Carroll reiterated, “Too much plastic and trash in the sea! It’s bad enough finding it on land!”
Another Underwater Cleanup is planned for mid-August. Contact earthcare.bahamas@yahoo.com for details and information on how you can join the effort.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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