Andre Levarity reads the scale Chad Haddad is holding in order to give accurate weights of the marine debris collected by Lucaya International School volunteers at International Coastal Cleanup Day 2015, Gold Rock Beach.

Freeport, Grand Bahama - After a night of thunderstorms, early on Saturday morning, September 19^th, students from Lucaya International School on Grand Bahama Island gathered to assist Zone Captain, Gail Woon (EARTHCARE) with the Gold Rock Beach International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC) 2015, at Lucayan National Park, east.

Nicole St. Pierre and Ben Power, teachers from Lucaya International School coordinated the volunteers and were pleased with the turnout in light of the inclement weather Grand Bahama had been experiencing.

A grand total of 277 pounds of marine debris was collected, recorded and bagged for collection at the Gold Rock Beach zone. Most of the marine debris found was debris from fishing and plastic items. These items included paper and plastic bags; beverage bottles, cans, caps and lids; cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons, food wrappers/containers, straws, stirrers. Students also found shoes.

 

: L-R Ben Power, Special Education Teacher, Jimmy Pierson, Yr. 11, Quincy Gordon, Yr. 11, Clement Knowles, Yr. 12, Andre Levarity, IB2, Jett Brookes, IB2, Stefano Rulli, Yr. 12, Chad Haddad, IB2, Dikembe Johnson, Yr. 12, Jose Renteria, IB2, Caitlin Farrington, IB2, Alisa Rolle, IB2, Heidi Swann, IB2, Kristian Moree, Yr. 12, Tamila Lake, Yr. 12, Aaliyah Rigby, Yr. 12 and Nicole St. Pierre, Geography Teacher, Lucaya International School with the 277 lbs. of Marine Debris removed from Gold Rock Beach on September 19th, 2015, International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Debris from recreational/commercial fishing and boat/vessel operations included bleach/cleaner bottles, rope, oil fishing line, plastic sheeting/tarps, and crates. Smoking related Marine Debris consisted mainly of cigarette filters, cigar tips and tobacco packaging wrappers.

Personal Hygiene/Medical Marine Debris included syringes.

Students noted that debris items of local concern included a Super Sack (Industrial sized), long fluorescent light bulbs, a laundry hamper, plastic tarp, shotgun shells, plastic doll leg, and a pacifier. 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 over 30 years. Andre Cartwright and his team from the Ministry of Tourism are to be commended for their excellent coordination of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. The hours of planning ahead all came together for a very successful day from West End to East End, Grand Bahama Island.

Zone Captain, Gail Woon explains how to fill out the Ocean Conservancy data cards.

Gail Woon, Zone Captain for Gold Rock Beach was pleased with the results. “It was great to see a new group of students out here this morning. I must thank the teachers and parents who without their help the students would not have been able to attend today and especially Nicole St. Pierre of Lucaya International School who coordinated the plans for the students to attend. I am so proud of Andre Cartwright and his wonderful team at the Ministry of Tourism for putting together a successful International Coastal Cleanup Day again this year. Without their care and coordination these very important global annual data collection days would not be possible.”

Lucaya International School International Coastal Cleanup volunteers hard at work, September, 19th, 2015 at the Gold Rock Beach, Lucayan National Park, Grand Bahama.

Students participating from Lucaya International included: Andre Levarity, Chad Haddad, Jose Renteria, Jett Brookes, Alisa Rolle, Heidi Swann, Caitlin Farrington all of IB2; Clement Knowles, Stefano Rulli, Aaliyah Rigby, Tamila Lake, Kristian Moree, Dikembe Johnson all of Year 12 and Quincy Gordon of Year 11. Nicole St. Pierre coordinated the group and Ben Power and parents:- Jim Pierson and Veronique Knowles also assisted.

Lucaya International School International Coastal Cleanup volunteers hard at work, September, 19th, 2015 at the Gold Rock Beach, Lucayan National Park, Grand Bahama.