Three cheers for volunteers! Clean Ocean Action (COA) applauds the many community groups, scouts, students, families, individuals and elected officials who joined in the fight against ocean pollution by participating in our 18th annual fall beach sweeps Oct. 25.
Volunteers gave New Jersey’s beaches a clean sweep on Make a Difference Day, improving the marine environment and learning about nonpoint source or "pointless" pollution, the largest contributor to poor water quality in the region. We especially thank the extraordinary beach captains for organizing and leading sweeps sites, and commend the towns and parks that hosted the sweeps.
COA estimates more than 2,500 people participated in the statewide cleanup at more than 40 sites from Keyport to Cape May. In addition to ridding the beaches of unsightly and harmful debris, the enthusiastic volunteers served as data recorders, categorizing and counting debris. A glance at the data shows plastics once again are still the number one offenders of marine pollution.
The data collected at the sweeps is used to identify pollution trends, enact environmentally friendly legislation, and educate people about their roles in creating and being part of the solution to nonpoint source pollution. The results of the 2003 spring and fall beach sweeps will be released next spring.
Our vision is that future cleanups will not be needed – visitors to and residents of our beautiful Jersey shore will leave only footprints in the sand. However, until that happy day, we must remain vigilant and active. Volunteers are invited to participate in the spring beach sweeps April 24. For more information, call (732) 872-0111, send an e-mail to sandyhook@cleanoceanaction.org or visit www.cleanoceanaction.org.
Kari L. Jermansen
outreach director
Anthony Totah
South Jersey coordinator
Cindy Zipf
executive director,
Clean Ocean Action