Hundreds of pounds of trash removed from seafloor and land at Indian Bay area

Photos from the SVG Environment Fund of the cleanup process.

By Admin. Updated 3:16 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Hundreds of pounds of trash were removed from the seafloor and the land in the Indian Bay area during a cleanup exercise facilitated by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environmental Fund (SVGEF).

The SVGEF says the coastal cleanup was held on Wednesday the 18th of September from 9 am to 2 pm, ahead of the International Coastal Cleanup Day which was observed this year on September 21st.

In a September 25 press release, the SVGEF said:

“During the clean-up, over 543 pounds of trash were collected, facilitated by the Central Water and Sewage Authority’s Solid Waste Management Unit (CWSA/SWMU), which provided a skip for proper disposal of non-recyclable items. Recyclables were processed by All Islands Recycling Inc. (AIR). Additionally, an estimated hundreds of pounds of wreckage were removed from the sea floor, including a 28-foot fishing boat hull retrieved from the beach one day prior to the clean-up”.

The area in which the trash was sorted. Photo by the SVGEF.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund (SVGEF) said the second organized major clean-up at Indian Bay, its part of its continuing commitment to protecting Vincentian coastlines.

More about the event

The SVGEF said: “Building on the success of the first clean-up, this event expanded efforts to both land and sea, with 35 volunteers participating, including members of the SVG Coast Guard, Dive Antilles, Dive St. Vincent, and the local community. Indian Bay, located within the South Coast Marine Conservation Area, is a cherished local landmark where generations of Vincentians have learned to swim and spend time with their families, making its protection a priority. Underwater efforts were a significant focus, with 11 scuba divers and 5 free divers working diligently to remove debris from the sea floor”.

“Recognizing that clean-up events are just one part of the solution, SVGEF emphasises the importance of increasing public awareness about responsible waste disposal and the recycling services offered by All Islands Recycling. The organisation advocates for more trash and recycling bins at popular beaches like Indian Bay and believes educating the public about these services—especially those that pay cash for recyclables—is essential to reducing future littering,” the SVGEF said.

Some of the participants in the cleanup. Photo by SVGEF.

SVGEF said it extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and partners who contributed to the clean-up. The organization is committed to continuing these efforts to ensure that Vincentian beaches remain clean and safe for both the environment and the community.

People can contact the SVGEF for more information or to participate in upcoming clean-ups. They can do so by visiting www.svgef.org or by following SVGEF on social media.