Friday, July 30, 2010

Bonaire’s Summer Underwater Cleanup a Resounding Success with Fifty Participants

On Saturday, July 10, 2010, fifty divers and snorkelers descended upon Kralendijk Bay for the Dive Friends Bonaire/NetTech summer underwater cleanup.  This cleanup focused upon the yacht anchorage south and north of the Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine dive facility.  Images from this cleanup are available online at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Susan Davis of NetTech addressed the group and explained what trash should be recovered and what should be left behind, as well as how to keep from damaging any marine animals.  After the briefing, the divers were transported both north and south of the dive facility, where they entered the water, descended, and began to fill their bags with trash.  They then worked their way back to the Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine, where the filled bags were brought to the surface to those working as shore support.  There, volunteers checked once again to be sure no marine creatures had been inadvertently included, counted and tallied the trash for statistics, and then disposed of it responsibly.

It had been a year since this stretch of shallows was last cleaned, and the group was able to process an impressive amount of trash that had accumulated during this time:  7 paper bags, 4 plastic bags, 48 beverage bottles (2 liters or less), 65 glass beverage bottles, 16 beverage cans, 12 pieces of clothing or shoes, 6 pieces of cutlery, 9 food wrappers, 20 pieces of fishing line, 7 light sticks, 11 pieces of rope, 12 pieces of tubing, 23 pieces of metal or plastic, 42 pieces of building materials, 7 automotive tires, 72 pieces of glass, along with sundry car parts and other trash.

Among the dive volunteers, there were several official lionfish hunters, and in addition to the trash, a large lionfish was also removed from the reef.

After the dive, all participants and their families and friends were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ—Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, the sponsors of the Bonaire cleanups, provided drinks and main courses, while participants supplied side dishes.  All participants were rewarded with certificates of participation.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2010 when the area surrounding Karel’s Beach Bar will be cleaned.  Additional information about the cleanups is available at: http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/clean_up_dives.html.  All are welcome to join in.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech)