 |
| BEACH SWEEP The annual Beach Sweep takes place in September each year. This yearly event is observed internationally. We at Eastern Charlotte Waterways enjoy participating in this important project because of its value as an educational tool for the public. Children and adults learn the effects of polluting. Living and working here in the Bay of Fundy teaches us that everything we toss into the ocean will eventually have an effect. Sometimes, it washes up on shore while other times it fouls our waters harming the dependant marine life. Many people think that only salmon farm operations and traditional fishermen are hurt by various pollution, but when these businesses collapse, they take the jobs on which we depend with them. Our way of life here in the Atlantic Provinces is based around the ocean, either directly or indirectly. On Beach Sweep Day each year groups of concerned citizens, young and old, gather at designated beaches. Many families participate as a team. Everyone is armed with proper apparel, old clothes, gloves, boots, etc. Large bags are donated by Connors Brothers with are used to collect the trash. Irving ALERT donates supplies such as gloves, tarps, pop & chips, and first aid kits. Local businesses contribute with cash donations. We are active partners with ACAP Saint John, our sister site. They coordinate the Beach Sweep meetings and arrange for the distribution of donated supplies. The aquaculture industry itself has funded many beach cleanups near their sites. The decisions as to which beaches are cleaned are made several ways. People in the community can nominate beaches, other beaches of interest are cleaned repeatedly so we can determine whether or not improvements have been made. As debris is collected, it is out at each site and upon completion, they are returned to Eastern Charlotte Waterways and forwarded to an International database. The primary item found in our area is Styrofoam (in cup form and loose floating pieces of various sizes). Rope was also a major source of debris. This valuable information is compiled in report form and is distributed to both participants and community environmental groups. The importance of continuing this service is obvious and the need to continue is plain for all to see. We must make every effort to teach future generations of the dangers of polluting our environment and the long-term effects we could all suffer. In 2000 ECW hopes to encourage a diverse group of industry members to take a hands-on approach to their contribution by participating in the actual clean-up and assessment. A challenge for industry members will commence in May 2000. We hope by having the industry partake in the event to bring more focus to the originating sources of the refuse. |