(Stock Photo)
Barbados’ beaches will be in focus this Saturday, September 17, when the country joins worldwide celebrations to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the activities to observe the day, one of which is a cleanup at Morgan Lewis Beach in St. Andrew.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Ministry of the Environment and Drainage, community groups and companies across the island, will collaborate to remove litter from the island’s beaches and marine environment. They will also seek to raise awareness on the negative impacts of littering and pollution.
Interested persons are asked to register by contacting one of the EPD’s Marine Pollution Officers at 535-4600, by Wednesday, September 14. Transportation and refreshments will be provided for those who register with the EPD on or before this deadline.
All registered participants who need transportation are asked to assemble at the EPD’s office in the L.V. Harcourt Lewis Building, Dalkeith, St. Michael, by 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, for a 5:30 a.m. departure to the beach.
Those taking part in the cleanup, but do not require transportation, are asked to assemble at the Conrad Hunte Sports Club, Shorey Village, St. Andrew, by 6:00 a.m.
Alternatively, persons are also encouraged to join with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network’s (CYEN) cleanup efforts. For more information on the CYEN’s cleanup, interested persons are asked to contact Project Coordinator, Jamilla Sealy, at 242-0665, or National Coordinator, Sade Deane, at 257-1447.
However, those desirous of hosting their own cleanup efforts on that day should contact the National Conservation Commission and the EPD before doing so. Data collected from the beaches will be used in the EPD’s National Marine Litter Monitoring Programme.
julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb