Hundreds of volunteers, numerous volunteer organizations and umpteen pounds of garbage removed from Antigua & Barbuda’s beaches signalled another successful Annual International Coastal Clean-up Day, led by the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AHTA) on Saturday (Sept. 20).

AHTA General Manager, Neil Forrester, said this year’s turnout proves that residents, businesses and civic organization are dedicated to ensuring trash free beaches and oceans for future generations.

“More groups participated and adopted beaches to clean than any previous year. We are proud of that. Mobilisation efforts exceeded our expectations and we are thankful to all who sacrificed their day for the betterment of the nation,” Forrester said.

The Ocean Conservatory formed event—which is held annually in over 30 countries worldwide—is a day dedicated to cleaning up beaches and raising conservation awareness.

Participating in the international challenge for the fifth year, AHTA continues to ardently promote and mobilize the nation’s residents. Challenging them to take pride in the sanitation of our beaches and waterways—one of the twin island nation’s most precious resources.

Participant and Managing Director of AS Bryden & Sons, Frances Ann Minors, said the organisation was delighted to participate in this year’s event. Bryden’s Barefoot Beach Rescue team partnered with the AMSA students from the AUA College of Medicine and BeachLimerz for the clean up.

“Fort James is in our immediate backyard and what better way to contribute to our neighbourhood than to support and drive a clean up at this historic and beautiful beach…Our full support is behind this cause,” Minors said.

Although Forrester is overjoyed that the beach clean up was a success, he is still disappointed that an effort, such as this, is still necessary.

“We like to say “the beach is just the beginning”, it’s our tagline. So it is quite sad that we have to do this year after year. The majority of the garbage we collect is not from tourists, but from daily use. It is actually residents littering in and near or waters. We must do better as a nation,” the AHTA general manager stressed.

In addition to the Fort James team, the Sugar Ridge Green Team collected trash at Morris Bay. The Sandals Foundation & Green Team sent a team out to Ffryes Beach. The EAG and Karib Cable/FLOW tended to Runaway Beach, Rogers Media and friends managed Little Ffryes, and the Rotaract Club cleaned up Valley Church. Owen Georges leader of the Go Green Party took on Darkwood Beach. Also, in English Harbour, Ruby Yacht Refit and its team tackled Pigeon Point and Windward Beach. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority partnered with Dixie to clean the coastline from Dutchman’s Bay to Shell Beach with the assistance of Tian Winter, an area rarely cleaned and heavy with garbage. Other groups cleaned Jabberwock, Hawksbill and Half Moon Bay.

The AHTA would like to thank Anjo Wholesale, Epicurean and Premier Beverages for providing materials and refreshments for the various groups.

For further information on the “Ocean Conservatory Annual International Coastal Clean-up Day” and other AHTA sponsored events call the AHTA office at 462-0374.