Divers remove trash from seabed at Indian Bay, but large amount still remains 

By Admin. Updated 1:19 p.m., Monday, August 26, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The SVG Environment Fund (SVGEF) said it teamed up with several divers to remove trash from the seabed at Indian Bay, but a significant amount of trash still remains. 

In a press release, the SVGEF said that on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024, it teamed up with free divers, Serenity Dive scuba divers, and Kirk Grant from Barrouallie (Alex Tours) for a much-needed underwater cleanup at Indian Bay. 

“While the cleanup focused on debris left in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, much of the trash entangled in the hurricane’s aftermath was typical beachgoer litter—bottles, cans, eating utensils, pieces of clothing, and more,” the SVGEF said. 

“This kind of debris not only tarnishes the beauty of our waters but also poses a serious threat to marine life and, eventually, our health. As plastics break down into microplastics, they enter the food chain, making it a priority to keep our marine environment clean,” the SVGEF added. 

The organization said: “Despite the determined efforts of our 13 skilled participants, the sheer volume of debris was overwhelming. We managed to extract a significant amount of garbage, but an even larger amount still remains. If today’s underwater cleanup had a name, it would be: Mission Impossible. The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl left us with an enormous challenge, and though we did our best, much more work lies ahead”.

“Contrary to popular belief, the ocean is not our garbage dump. Every piece of trash we remove is a step towards preserving the health of our marine ecosystems and, by extension, ourselves,” the organization said. 

The SVGEF said it is committed to continuing these efforts with more underwater and beach cleanups planned for the future. We all have a role to play in protecting our oceans—after all, every second breath we take comes from the ocean. 

It’s said thanks to the support of the Central Water and Sewage Authority Solid Waste Management Unit (CWSA/SWMU), a skip was provided for the proper disposal of the collected trash. Additionally, some recyclable materials were sorted and sent to All Islands Recycling Inc., further increasing the positive impact of this effort.