Clean beaches – good for tourists and for the locals too

WATAMU MARINE ASSOCIATION LEADS BEACH CLEAN UP EXERCISE

(Posted 16th September 2015)

This annual event is organised by the Ocean Conservancy based in the USA. The data they receive from the event helps them to collect scientific information for education purposes and to gain support and lobby governments and policy makers in an effort to reduce the amount of garbage and pollutants entering the world’s oceans. Up to 100 countries participate each year with thousands of volunteers making a great conservation impact by cleaning thousands of kilometres of beaches worldwide.

For the past 2 years have the Watamu Marine Association and the Ocean Sole Foundation organized the East Africa clean-up event. Last year a great effort unfolded with 41 groups, organisations and schools from 12 coastal communities taking part from Lamu to Dar es Salaam. 14 beaches were cleaned covering more than 30km. More than 1,100 people collected 9,800 kgs of plastic and other marine litter.

Wrote the association when asked for added information:

This Saturday 19th September is the Big Day!

Last year we collected over 3,000 kgs of trash along 8 kms of beach.

In Watamu the event is being led by KWS with the following organisations coordinating and taking part:

Watamu Association

Watamu Marine Association

Watamu Against Crime

Watamu Safari Sellers Association

Watamu Marine Excursions

Watamu Rotary Mariners

G4S

Turtle Bay Beach Club

Hemingways Resort

Medina Palms

Ocean Sports Resort

Garoda Resort

Kobe Resort

Temple Point Resort

A Rocha Kenya

Mida Creek Conservation Community

Local Ocean Trust

Taylor Holdings Ltd

Watamu Property Services

Voice of Women Watamu

We expect more than 200 volunteers to take part!

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WMA is endorsed by the Ocean Conservancy and recognised as the partner organisation in Kenya to organise ICC events. This year will WMA be mobilising communities, conservation groups and schools in Kenya and Tanzania and aim to have beach cleanups in Kiunga, Kiwayu, Lamu, Tana Delta, Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi, Takaungu, Kuruwitu, Vipingo, Mtwapa,

Mombasa, Chale, Diani, Shimoni and Msambweni in Kenya, and Mafia Island, Dar es Salaam and other beaches in Tanzania.

The biggest challenge will be sorting all the waste materials, filling in the data forms and the waste removal and disposal. This is why in each area WMA will need support with vehicles and more volunteers.

The new International Coastal Clean-up Coordinator for Kenya is Mr. Ezra Onyango. He has been endorsed by the Ocean Conservancy and he will be contacting groups over the next weeks to assist and circulate data forms and other information. WMA has asked to assist them with coordination and to confirm the intended participation of any groups, communities and individuals in the exercise.

WMA is planning for this year to be the biggest clean-up ever so as together put Kenya and East Africa on the global

beach clean-up map!