Fall Beach Sweeps take place Oct. 19 along Jersey Shore

Clean Ocean Action (COA) is calling for volunteers to participate in the 28th annual Fall Beach Sweeps as part of the Wave of Action storm recovery initiative on Oct. 19 at more than 65 sites along the Jersey Shore.

A complete list of cleanup locations and times can be found at www.cleanoceanaction.org.

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to continue to integrate Beach Sweeps into the Waves of Action program, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the New York- New Jersey coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” said Catie Tobin, advocacy and education fellow with COA, in a press release.

In order to collect data and help reduce sources of pollution, volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found. The information collected is analyzed and published into annual reports. These reports help identify pollution problems; aid legislators in enacting laws to protect the marine environment; and inform local, state and international efforts to combat marine pollution. COA will release the 2013 report in mid-April, in time for the Spring Beach Sweeps. All reports are available on the COA website.

COA encourages participation by volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, families and organizations. Volunteers are requested to preregister by using the online sign-up form at www.cleanoceanaction.org. Volunteers should wear gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes.

The Monmouth County locations are as follows:

Aberdeen: Fisherman’s Parking Lot

Keansburg: Batting cages, 275 Beachway Ave.

Keyport: Cedar Street (First Street at waterfront)

Long Branch: Pier Village, meet at public access point, at Melrose Terrace and Ocean Avenue

Middletown: Leonardo Public Beach South at Beach Avenue; Ideal Beach at Ocean Avenue and Bayside Parkway; Bayshore Waterfront Park, meet at fishing pier

Monmouth Beach: Bathing Pavilion, 29 Ocean Ave.

Red Bank: Meet at end of Drs. James Parker Boulevard

Sandy Hook: Meet at parking lot D

Sea Bright: Anchorage/Ferguson Beach just north of Rumson/Sea Bright Bridge; Sea Bright Public Beach, meet at municipal parking lot; Borough Hall, 1067 Ocean Ave.

Union Beach: Front and Florence avenues