Beachgoers who enjoyed the beaches this summer are encouraged to give back by participating in Clean Ocean Action’s 26th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Volunteers are asked to collect and tabulate debris from beaches at nearly 70 sites along the New Jersey coast. The Beach Sweeps begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Volunteer Beach Captains will greet volunteers at each site, distribute cleanup materials and give instructions throughout the event.
For a complete list of sites, the group pre-registration form and other tips, visit www.cleanoceanaction.org and follow the links for “Beach Sweeps.”
Over the past 26 years, Beach Sweepers have removed more than 4 million pieces of trash from the beaches and waterways of New Jersey. More than 85,000 citizens have been educated about the harmful effects of litter and motivated to make a difference.
Volunteers create a database of information by recording the quantity and types of debris they find. COA collects, analyzes and publishes the data in its Annual Beach Sweep Report, which is useful in helping to identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect the marine environment, and inform local and international efforts to combat marine pollution. The Annual Beach Sweep Reports are available online at www.cleanoceanaction.org.
Monmouth County sites include:
Aberdeen — Fisherman’s Parking Lot at Cliffwood Beach. Allenhurst — Euclid Avenue. Deal— Philips Avenue Beach. Keyport — Cedar Street (first street at waterfront).
Long Branch — Pier Village (public access at Melrose Terrace and Ocean Avenue.
Middletown Twp. (four sites) — 1. Leonardo Public Beach North; 2. Leonardo Public Beach South at Beach Avenue; 3. Ideal Beach at Ocean Avenue and Bayside Parkway.; 4. Bayshore Waterfront Park at fishing pier.
Monmouth Beach — Bathing pavilion at 29 Ocean Ave.
Red Bank — Chapin Avenue, for more information contact Laura Bagwell at 732-533 3951
Sandy Hook— Parking Lot D (Seagulls’ Nest Restaurant).
Sea Bright (four sites) — 1. Ferguson Beach, north of Rumson/Sea Bright Bridge; 2. Meet at Gaiter’s Restaurant Oceanside; 3. Meet at Algarve Milano ocean side 4. Meet at public beach parking.
COA encourages participation from volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, families and organizations. Groups of 10 or more are asked to pre-register using the online sign-up form on the website or by calling 732-872-0111. Preregistration for individuals or groups of less than 10 is not required, simply choose a location and arrive the day of, where a beach captain will provide volunteers with supplies and instructions. Volunteers should bring gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes.