Grand Bahama Island - The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, the Eco-Tourism Association and the Ocean Conservancy Celebrate a 25-Year Sea Change with the International Coastal Cleanup; Saturday, September 25^th.

Solid waste is one of the most widespread problems threatening our ocean and waterways – and it’s entirely preventable. Join hundreds of thousands of people around the world as we celebrate the 25^th anniversary this September.

What: Grand Bahama Island is a part of the 25^th annual International Coastal Cleanup, the world's largest volunteer effort to help protect our coastline, ocean, lakes and rivers. Since the Cleanup began, over 7.8 million volunteers have removed over 135 million pounds of trash from our shoreline. Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world spend a few hours removing trash and debris from beaches, lakes, and rivers keeping track of every piece of trash they find. Ocean Conservancy uses that information to produce an annual country-by-country, state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris.

When/Where: Saturday, September 25^th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., more than 400 volunteers will clean McLean’s Town, High Rock, Free Town, and West End shorelines; Barbary, Fortune, Taino, Williams Town, Xanadu, Lovers, and Crystal/Deadman’s Reef beaches.

Background: Grand Bahama Island has been a part of this international effort for over 12 years.

“Grand Bahama is moving towards a greener island” – Renamae Symonette, Sr. Manager-Heritage Tourism

“Our hope at the Ministry of Toursim & Aviation is that this green initiative will resonate throughout the various communities on island. This should never just be a Tourism concern. A greener, cleaner island should be every Grand Bahama Island resident's aspiration.” – Karen Seymour, Director-Grand Bahama, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

During the 2009 Cleanup, 500,000 volunteers removed 7.4 million pounds of debris, in 108 countries and 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. From the East to the West ends of Grand Bahama Island over 4,852 lbs of garbage/debris was collected by volunteers from throughout the community including, schools, Girl Guides, Scouts, fraternal organizations, Rotary, Rotaract, Interact, and some staff from Freeport Harbour Company and Bradford Marine. An even greater turnout is expected this year.

“The ocean is our life support system – yet marine debris continues to threaten its health. From product design to disposal, we all have a role to play in keeping our ocean clean and eliminating marine debris,” said Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy. “The International Coastal Cleanup is an essential step to finding solutions. Data collected by dedicated volunteers inform solutions to the threat of trash in our ocean. By understanding sources of marine debris, we can work together to solve this problem. Join me and communities around the world this September 25^th to celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup, and a 25-year Sea Change.”

Additional statistics, graphics and photography, of the 2009 International Coastal Cleanup are available at: www.oceanconservancy.org. Professional and volunteer photography from the 2009 event including Cleanup sites around the world is available upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, including Alaska, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. www.oceanconservancy.org.