We Removed 30 lbs. of Debris from the Ocean

16 Active Divers Participated in Dive Against Debris

We love the Blue Heron Bridge dive site and every time we dive it we see trash, so it was very rewarding to spend a day cleaning up this site and doing our part for a healthier ocean. 

For our second annual Dive Against Debris event at the Blue Heron Bridge, our goal was to surpass last year's haul of 12 lbs. of trash pulled from the ocean. This year we more than doubled the goal by removing 30 lbs!

It was a beautiful sunny day at the Bridge which began early so we could secure parking on a busy Saturday. In addition to our usual safety briefing our Safety Officers and candidates led by Jonathan Hilliard explained various portions of the program such as the marine debris problem, solutions, procedures for debris collection and removal, and how we would record and report debris. 

Our event and the debris collected will be reported to PADI to be part of their Dive Against Debris database which helps with research and solutions to the marine debris problem.

We set off in buddy teams to collect our debris, some going to the West Bridge and some heading east. Along the way between the groups we saw a nurse shark, spotted eagle ray, the elusive batfish, many unusual hermit crabs, an enormous horse conch feeding with its massive bright orange foot. 

After an hour or more in the delightful 84 degree water we brought in our haul consisting of about 25 glass bottles, bottle caps, cigarette butts, fishing hooks, line and sinkers, a pipe, a large bundle of rope, five aluminum cans, a tire, a towel and a pair of men's shorts. 

Ann Spagnolo took the prize for largest (heaviest) item, a 3-lb. piece of fencing.

Hilda Balbi won the prize for most unusual item - a pair of large men's shorts. 

The afternoon ended with a potluck featuring Cuban mojo pork provided by Joe Renta and many other great dishes including fresh watermelon and mac and cheese. 

Thanks to Jonathan Hillard for leading the briefing along with Safety Officers Steve McPhillips and Anand Ranganathan with help from Safety Officer Candidates Aaron Brooks and Hilda Balbi. And thanks to everyone who participated including Isabella Estevez making her first dive with the club today.