Ocean Matters

The International Coastal Cleanup

The International Coastal Cleanup is the world's largest single-day volunteer effort to help improve the health of the ocean and its wildlife. Each September, citizens in coastal communities all around the world volunteer to help pick-up garbage from beaches and collect important data on the quantity and location of such debris. Garbage deposited on beaches can range from simple things like plastic bags and cigarette filters to more complex items like fishing gear and automotive junk. Sometimes this garbage includes illegally dumped plastics and used medical supplies. To help celebrate the International Coastal Cleanup here on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the communities of Bamfield and Anacla hold an annual beach cleanup at nearby Pachena Bay. Here are a few pictures from past cleanup events.

 
Bags used to dispose of any garbage are provided by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The picture on the right shows three of the participating children disposing of a mass of tangled ropes found on the beach.

 
People of all ages participate in the Coastal Cleanup!

Volunteers collect data about the amount and type of garbage removed from the beach. This data is used to determine where the garbage is coming from. A potato chip bag might indicate people dumping garbage on the beach, while an oil bottle likely would have come from a boat.

Volunteers have a good time helping to cleanup the beach.

For more information go to:
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (Vancouver Aquarium)
Ocean Conservancy

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