Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Another Record-Setting Underwater Cleanup Removes Trash from Bonaire’s South Pier

Following on the heels of a record attendance at the September, 2010 cleanup, a new attendance record was set on Sunday, January 16, 2011, when 78 Bonaire visitors and residents joined together in the early morning to clean Bonaire’s South Pier, also known as the Customs Pier.  It was truly a monumental event to kick off the thirteenth year of regular reef cleanups on Bonaire.  Images from this cleanup are available on-line at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech N.V. were the event sponsors, but many others assisted to make the event a success.  After registration was complete, Susan Davis of NetTech and Asko Zuidam of Dive Friends Bonaire initiated the briefing, giving an explanation of how to recover the trash, as well as what should be recovered and what should be left behind, as it was important that all participants refrain from harming any marine organisms. 

With the tally team in place, the divers entered the water and began their search for debris and trash.  When their bags were full, they would bring them to the surface, where the tally team ensured that any animals that might have been inadvertently brought up were quickly returned to the water.  The trash was then sorted, counted, and then disposed of in a large bin which Bonaire’s waste management company, Selibon, had donated for the day. 

The South Pier is a working pier, and thus the underwater terrain can accumulate more trash than is normal on the reef.  The following was removed from Bonaire’s South Pier:  9 paper bags, 17 plastic bags, 40 plastic beverage bottles, 289 glass beverage bottles or glasses, 36 beverage cans, 57 caps or lids, 62 pieces of clothing or shoes, 75 pieces of cutlery, 34 food wrappers or containers, 1 pull tab, 1 wallet, 5 straws or stirrers, 61 pieces of fishing line, 10 fishing lures, 1 light bulb, 3 pieces of fishing net, 1 piece of fiberglass, 21 pieces of plastic sheeting, 23 pieces of rope, 15 plastic straps, 1 scuba part, 4 toothbrushes, 1 pair of goggles, 2 cell phones, 1 doorknob, 9 batteries, 160 pieces of building materials, 8 automotive parts, 2 tires, 9 boat parts, 2 fire hoses, 2 towels, and even a pair of knitting needles!  Additionally, since there were a number of trained lionfish hunters in the group, three large lionfish were removed from the surrounding reefs.

In the later afternoon, all participants and their families and friends were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ, with food and beverages hosted by Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech and where quite a party ensued.  After enjoying a great dinner, all participants were eligible for a variety of raffle prizes, consisting of t-shirts and caps and dive accessories. Volunteers were also rewarded with certificates of participation.

Live video of the event can be viewed by clicking here.  Thanks go to the day sponsors Selibon, Reef, Deep Blue Gear, Ouray, Cudas, and Dive Shades.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2011.  Registration opens at 12:30 PM, and the briefing will begin at 1:00 PM.  The planned location will be the pier in front of It Rains Fishes Restaurant.  Those interested in participating should make a reservation by e-mailing cleanups@dive-friends-bonaire.com.  Additional information about the cleanups is available by clicking here.  All are welcome to join in. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, images courtesy of Susan Davis, Frederique Schreurs, and Jim Mendria)