Nassau, Bahamas - Volunteers throughout The Bahamas are preparing to take part in the Ocean Conservancy’s “26^th Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)” and will do so on Saturday, October 8^th, 2011. The original date planned was September 24th, but due to inclement weather the cleanup was moved to this Saturday.

Every year, more than half-a-million people in 100 countries remove millions of pounds of trash from beaches and waterways all over the world. This year celebrates 26 years of volunteerism for a healthier ocean. Over the last quarter-century, the International Coastal Cleanup has grown from a single cleanup on a Texas beach to a worldwide movement to end the threat of trash in our ocean. As such, it not only makes a powerful statement about global concern for the environment, it also empowers local communities to do something about pollution.

“The Bahamas has participated for many years in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup and we will again this year to make a difference to our marine environment,” said Ranaldo Smith, Education Supervisor for Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island and National Coordinator of International Coastal Cleanup in New Providence. “Last year, record amounts of volunteers in New Providence alone collected 39 tons of trash which is an extraordinary accomplishment. This year, we wanted to expand the clean up area and will be focusing on Yamacraw Beach and South Beach to be cleaned from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and we encourage members of the public to join us. Please wear closed-in shoes, bring water bottle, sunscreen and gardening gloves .”   

International Coastal Cleanup Events in The Bahamas:  In Nassau:  

• Yamacraw Beach:                  Dolphin Encounters – Project BEACH will host International Coastal Cleanup, Saturday, October 8^th, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. at Yamacraw Beach near Stoke’s Cabana- the public is invited to volunteer and attend. Free bus transportation every 30 minutes starting at 7:30 a.m. from the Marathon Mall. Please wear closed in shoes, sunscreen and gardening gloves. Email Sophia Smith at Sophia.smith@ dolphinencounters.com for more information or to volunteer.   
• South Beach:                                            Dolphin Encounters – Project BEACH will host International Coastal Cleanup, Saturday, October 8^th, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. at South Beach- the public is invited to volunteer and attend. Free bus transportation every 30 minutes starting at 7:30a.m. from Town Center Mall. Please wear closed in shoes, sunscreen and gardening gloves. Email Linzi Knowles - Belton at linzi@dolphinencounters.com for more information or to volunteer.

• Dolphin Encounters - Project BEACH will also be hosting Beach Buddies programmes with local students upon request. Please call the education department at 363-7180 extension 303 to coordinate a programme.

Caribbean Bottling Company which produces Coca-Cola in the Bahamas is the major sponsor of the event providing refreshments for volunteers both in Nassau and Grand Bahama. Coke is the global sponsor for International Coastal Cleanup.

“Coca-Cola and Caribbean Bottling Company are pleased to sponsor International Coastal Cleanup in both New Providence and Grand Bahama as part of our ‘Live Positively’ philosophy,” said Donnisha Armbrister, Marketing Manager for the Caribbean Bottling Company. “‘Live Positively’ is our commitment to making a positive difference in our communities by redesigning the way we work and live so that sustainability is part of everything we do – forever. Supporting the work of ICC directly impacts three areas of our Live Positively commitments - Sustainable Packaging, Water Stewardship and Active Healthy Living. The ICC is the Coca-Cola premier litter abatement partnership and the world's largest single-day volunteer effort to eradicate litter and debris from beaches, inland waterways and oceans.  In its 16th year of support, the Company is expecting to contribute 50,000 volunteers across 40 countries.” 

Other local sponsors include: Aquapure, Bahamas Food Services, Bahamas National Trust, Bahamas Waste, Bahamas Wholesale, Bapak, BOSS – Bahamas Office and School Supplies, Chilly Willy Ice, Commonwealth Brewery, Dan Knowles Tours, D’Albenas Agency, Dolphin Encounters Ltd., Esso Palmdale Service Station, Elizabeth Estates Police Station, Island Cellular, John Taylor Trucking, Johnson’s Charter service, Kelly’s Home Center, Leisure Tours, Lowe’s Wholesale, Majestic Tours, Nassau Paper Company, Online Bahamas Weekly, Ports International, Party Mart, Purity Bakery, South Beach Police Station, T and K Trash Removal,  The Mall at Marathon, The Department of Environmental Health Services, Town Center Mall, Waste Not, and ZNS Community Page.

“The International Coastal Cleanup engages people to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways, to identify the sources of debris, and to change the behaviours that cause pollution,” says Linzi Knowles-Belton, Education Coordinator at Dolphin Encounters. “The event isn’t just about pollution clean-up it’s about pollution prevention. The event focuses on educating and empowering people to become a part of the marine debris solution. We thank our sponsors for their support and participation and encourage the public to volunteer and participate. 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.”   

To learn more about International Coastal Cleanup visit www.oceanconservancy.org . For information on the many outreach programs offered by Dolphin Encounters-Project B.E.A.C.H. please call Annette Dempsey at 363-7180 ext. 303 for more or visit www.dolphinencounters.com .    

Top Ten Debris Items Collected