New Providence Clean Up to Take Place at South Beach
Volunteers throughout The Bahamas are preparing to take part in the Ocean Conservancy’s “31st Anniversary of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)” on Saturday, September 17th, 2016.
Volunteers from all over the world have gathered every year along coastlines and waterways to participate in the International Coastal Cleanup®. Many walk, while others set out on boats. Thousands more don scuba gear to seek trash below the water’s surface.
Last year, 791,336 people, from 91 countries, picked up more than 18 million pounds of trash along 25,188.5 miles of coastline. This year celebrates 31 years of volunteerism for a healthier 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.
“Our country has participated for many years in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup and we will again this year to make difference to our marine environment,” said Linzi Knowles Belton, Assistant Director of Marine Education for Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island the Coordinator of International Coastal Cleanup in New Providence.
“This year, we return to South Beach near the pools from 8:00 a.m. until 10 a.m. and we encourage members of the public to join us. The South Beach area is filled with mangroves that are critical to our marine life. 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.”
In Nassau:
• South Beach (near Pools):
Dolphin Encounters – Project BEACH will host International Coastal Cleanup, Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. – 10 a.m. at South Beach near the pools - the public is invited to volunteer and attend. Free bus transportation every 30 minutes starting at 7:30 a.m. from the Marathon Mall or Town Center Mall. Please wear closed in shoes, sunscreen and gardening gloves. Email Lashanti Jupp at lashanti@dolphinencounters.com or Linzi Knowles - Belton at linzi@dolphinencounters.com for more information or to volunteer.
• Dolphin Encounters - Project BEACH will also be hosting month-long Beach Buddies programmes with local students. Please call the education department at 363-7180 extension 303 to coordinate a programme.
“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,” added Mrs. Knowles-Belton.
“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.”
This year’s sponsors include: Coca-Cola, Caribbean Bottling Company; Aquapure; Bahamas Foam Insulation, Bahamas Waste; Bahamas Wholesale; Dolphin Encounters; The D’Albenas Agency; Dan Knowles Tours; Island Cellular; Johnson’s Charter service, Leisure Tours; Ports International; Signarama; The Mall at Marathon; Town Centre Mall; The organization of American States; Bahamas National Trust, Cans For Kids; T and K Trucking, Randy C, DJ Spleen, DJ Energy and the Department of Environmental Health Services.
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.
Source: Blue Lagoon Island
