The 19th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup will be September 16th, 2006 from 8AM – 12noon. There are twenty Cleanup Zones along the Gulf Coast in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Each Cleanup Zone is listed on www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com, or you can call 251-929-0900 for a Cleanup Zone near you.
The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is part of an international effort to remove marine debris from coastal waters. Alabama joined this effort, sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy, in 1987. Since then 41,946 volunteers in Alabama have removed a total of 843,710 pounds of debris and cleaned 2,573 miles of coast!
Part of this unique experience is data collection. As volunteers remove debris they also fill out data cards that record the debris found. After years of collecting data on the specific types of marine debris being found, such as plastic, metals or wood, data now focuses on the activities that cause the debris. The completed data cards are submitted to The Ocean Conservancy which then complies, analyzes, and tracks this data year-by-year and site-to-site to identify the activities and general sources of the debris in a region state, or country.
With all of the information collected from Alabama and around the world, The Ocean Conservancy has determined there are five primary activities that produce marine debris. *These activities include:
Recreational and Shoreline Activities – Debris from beachgoers, picnics, sports and games, festivals, as well as litter washed from streets, parking lots, and storm drains.
Ocean/Waterway Activities – Debris from recreational fishing and boating; commercial fishing; cargo, military, and cruise ships; and offshore industries.
Smoking Related Activities – The littering of cigarette filters, cigar tips, and tobacco products packaging is common on land and sea.
Dumping Activities – Debris from legal and illegal dumping of building material or large household items.
Medical/Personal Hygiene – This debris can be left by beachgoers as well as disposed of improperly into toilets and city streets. Because medical and hygiene debris often enter the waste stream through sewer systems, its presence in the beach can indicate the presence of other, unseen pollutants.
The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is a chance to take pride in our unique and treasured waterway system. Alabama Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way for families, students, service groups, and neighbors to join together, take care of our fragile marine environment, show community support for our shared natural resources, learn about the impacts of marine debris and how we can prevent them…and to have fun!
Gather your group today…your family, church group, civic group…or come out on your own and make new friends. Volunteers receive a t-shirt, decal and refreshments in appreciation for their participation…not to mention the satisfaction of keeping Alabama’s coast beautiful!
Check our calendar for times. Then contact the zone captain for the area of your choice to get involved!
The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is sponsored by Alabama State Lands Division Coastal Section, Alabama PALS, Baldwin County Commission, ExxonMobile, and Vulcan Materials.
For more information on the Alabama Coastal Cleanup or how to be a sponsor please visit: www.AlabamaCoastalCleanup.com.
*Source: The Ocean Conservancy, Virginia Beach, VA “2003 International Coastal Cleanup, Alabama Summery Report,” pg. 8
Here are a few safety tips to help “Get the Trash out of the Splash!”
§ Drink plenty of fluids!
§ Bring sunscreen, a hat and wear comfortable shoes.
§ An adult should supervise children at all times.
§ Be careful near sand dunes and other fragile ecosystems.
§ Please do not attempt to remove dangerous or heavy items yourself. Mark the location and report back to the Zone Captain.
