The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 800 pounds of debris and trash were collected on Grand Bahama beaches during the 36th International Coastal Cleanup, with the help of various civic groups.

The initiative, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, had been cancelled for the past two years due to the major crises experienced with Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

Aulenna Robinson, a senior executive of sustainable tourism with the Ministry of Tourism in Freeport, said even though school students did not participate this year, the event was well supported by organisations here that collected a total of 830.5 pounds of trash this year.

“This is the first one in three years since 2018, and we were able to complete it successfully, in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines,” she told The Tribune.

“This initiative always takes place the third Saturday in September, but because of Dorian there was none in 2019, and last year because of the lockdowns and quarantine we did not have it then either.”

According to data, the majority of trash collected were plastic bottles and tops, and bits of undetermined plastic, glass bottles, and cans.

Eight beaches were included in this year’s cleanup initiative, including Gold Rock Beach, Barbary Beach, Fortune Beach, Taino Beach, Williams Town Beach, Xanadu Beach, Lover’s Beach, and Bootle Bay Beach.

Of all the designated locations, the greatest amount of trash was collected at Williams Town Beach, where volunteers bagged some 217 pounds of garbage.

Ms Robinson indicated that because of COVID-19 regulations, the number of volunteers was limited to 10 per organisation between 8am and 10am on September 18.

The Rotary Club of Grand Bahama, The Lion Clubs, Waterkeepers Bahamas, Kiwanis Clubs, West End Community Action Network (WECAN), Pilot Club of Freeport and Lucaya, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Harmony Lodge, and Pride of Grand Bahama #7 participated.

Titi McKenzie Moss, community service chairperson of Rotary Club of Grand Bahama, said they collected over 70 pounds of trash at Taino Beach.

This included masks, plastic bottles, forks, spoons, bags, sanitary items, clothing, bottle tops, and glass bottles.

She said that Rotary is pleased to be able to give service and make a difference in the community by participating in the beach cleanup initiative.

“Just picking up one piece of litter makes a difference, and it’s all about creating awareness to the amount of pollution that exists on our beaches,” she said.

Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeepers Bahamas and Save the Bays, said they are always eager about partnering with other groups in Grand Bahama during ICC.

“WaterKeepers is focused on swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters. We know how important it is to have regular collections of data to tell the story of environmental conditions. Over the years, ICC has been able to paint a vivid picture of the coastal pollution issues throughout the world," she said.

She indicated that the data collected during these cleanups helps to set the tone for legislation, policies, and bans on plastics around the world.

Ms Robinson said that Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit group based in the US, collects the data to produce an annual snapshot of the marine debris problem.