PROJECT AWARE COMES TO TOWN

Project Aware, an international nonprofit conservation organization, has been involved with beach and underwater clean-ups all over the world. On 22nd April it was brought to Bocas by Starfleet Scuba for the biggest one day clean-up in the history of the town. Over 100 volunteers and 240 students took part in the event, collecting an estimated 350 bags of rubbish from the town, the beaches and the sea bed.

The students from Bocas School together with the Mayor and his staff, took on the responsibility for the town clean-up. They collected an astounding 98 bags of rubbish in one hour. “I will remember this day,” said one of the students, “whenever I am tempted to throw rubbish on the ground……..someone has to pick it up.”

As part of the Project, 2 presentations to the school were given by Starfleet diver, Eddie Ibarra . The students were then asked to draw a picture of their environment and prizes were awarded to the best drawings in each of the three years. The winners, who will each be given scuba diving lessons, are –

The remainder of the paintings have been displayed around the town for everyone to enjoy.

At 11 am 31 divers and 16 snorkelers targeted the aquatic environment to start the massive clean-up and at midday 52 volunteers hit the beaches. Tons of rubbish was collected, bagged and deposited by the army of volunteers who worked until they dropped. The refreshments, donated by many of the town’s restaurants, and served at Starfleet Scuba, were gratefully received and well deserved.

Nilvia Ellis and George Cufley, both from Starfleet, who were the brains behind this day, worked with Project Aware and PADI to organize this event and successfully inveigled, persuaded and cajoled the majority of the town’s companies and organizations to take part &/or to make a donation.

The Mayor, in his closing speech thanked everyone who participated in the day. ”I am delighted that we, together, have accomplished so much in one day and I congratulate you all for your generosity and support. I hope this commitment to the town and its environs will last for a long time and that we will continue to work together for the benefit of us all.”

However serious the object of the project may have been, the main component of the day seemed to be “fun” and everyone said they would love to be involved in any future event. What more could you ask?

Each year 100 million tons of plastics and 17 million tons of sewage, sludge and garbage will make their way into our waterways. Cigarette butts, diapers, plastics, beverage containers and tyres are all examples of debris that pollute our environment and cause harm to aquatic life.

International Cleanup Day is held each year on Earth Day, this year 22nd April. It is the world’s largest one-day volunteer effort on behalf of the aquatic environment. Nearly half a million people worldwide volunteer for annual clean-up events.