NASSAU, Bahamas -- Volunteers throughout The Bahamas are preparing to take part in the Ocean Conservancy's "27th Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)" on Saturday, September 15th, 2012.  Every year in September, 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 27 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 Linzi Knowles Belton, Education Supervisor for Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island and National Coordinator of International Coastal Cleanup in New Providence.

"Last year, many volunteers in New Providence collected tons of trash which is an extraordinary accomplishment. This year, we will be focusing on Yamacraw Beach, behind Stoke's Cabana from 8:00 a.m. until 12 p.m. and we encourage members of the public to join us. Please wear closed-in shoes, bring water bottle, sunscreen and gardening gloves. Abaco and Grand Bahama are also participating and are hosting clean ups of their beaches."    

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