2018 International Coastal Cleanup

On 22 September PEMSEA staff participated in the 2018 International Coastal Cleanup, helping to remove waste from a beach in Baranagay San Teodoro, Mabini, in the Batangas Province of the Philippines. This cleanup was organized by the SEA Institute, a consortium of stakeholders looking to protect the biodiverse Verde Island Passage which lies between Luzon and the western Visayas. A number of other public and private organizations, including the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng San Teodoro, First Balfour, SMARTSeas PH, Mermaid Missions, and The Boat Camp and Gardens @ Anilao, also participated in the event.

 

In the course of one morning over 100 participants filled up an entire garbage truck, with collected items including over 500 pet bottles and almost 300 slippers.

 

This on-the-ground volunteer activity is a part of PEMSEA's commitment to the Clean Seas Pilipinas campaign, which aims to reduce and manage plastic pollution. The International Coastal Cleanup takes place every year, with volunteer-driven events organized all over the world. This cleanup was originally scheduled to coincide with cleanups around the world on 15 September, but was delayed one week due to Typhoon Mangkhut.

 

More photos are available on our Facebook page.