The Saturday report....

As the sun warmed the day many volunteers congregated on beaches around the island with the purpose of collecting the litter that collects on our coastline, much of it washed ashore. Like our trash that washes ashore on another beach miles from our eyes.

A cadre from NSWMA and the Environment division set about clearing up Jabberwock beach, resulting in about a dozen large bags of trash, mainly plastic bottle caps, bottles and bits of polypropylene rope, from nets and other fishing gear. On the land side it is clear that people who pick nick do not give a damn about their trash, from bottle to used diapers and condom's.

While the NSWMA team went of to Darkwood and Fryes I headed down to Pigeon Point (the world 8th sexiest beach). A small group from Island Academy were busy clearing up. Also learning that there a FEW people who of their own initiative regularly have a little pick up EVERY time the go to the beach, being a few times a week to everyday, to those people I salute you. And trust that the selfish folks get a change of heart and do the right thing.

Scooting north to Fort James I was to find the NSWMA team picking litter from the beach, great stuff as there was plenty of it. Also being a leeward beach all that does not get collected will only sully the shore of other countries. Let alone the fatal consequences to marine life in the interim.

The horror story comes from Sandy island, a small infrequently visited island at the entrance to St.John's harbour. From the initial report we are going to have to make a concerted effort on this one location, together with the lee shore of the harbour. It is sadly not a surprise, as a nation we litter greatly and with the change of materials recently from glass to plastic for most sodas, like Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Previous bottles were glass and were collected as the had a deposit value to be redeemed, for some this was a source of income. So in our development we have seen trash spreading and income opportunities disappear, but I guess profit is up for someone along that chain, while another wonders how to earn a living.

Apart from the beach, the seabed around the island is like a rubbish tip and again will need a tooled up and prepared gang for this clear up. Likely to be a lead and focal point in December when we will focus beyond the beach and under the waves. Working with many of the dive operations, who will be leading up to the tourism season.