CLEANUP II
Chapman Field Park Waterway
Paddling with a purpose was our theme yesterday morning for Blue Scholars Initiative’s second International Coastal Cleanup at Chapman Field Park. One definite thing that all of our participants noticed was the tremendous amount of plastic collected. There were numerous items ranging from single-use plastic bottles and bags, to milk crates, tires and traps.
Paddle partners, Brock and Noah, shared their thoughts about two of their interesting finds and how these items impact our health, water and marine life.
Harmful to our health
Plastic pollutes the water
Not only did we sort and weigh the debris (67.5 pounds total - 12.5 lbs of recyclables, 55 lbs of non-recyclables) but we talked about how we can affect change in our community. Our upcoming election is definitely something where we can all take part.
VOTE for the Planet! International Coastal Cleanup 2020 participant, JoAnn, shares her thoughts with Blue Scholars Initiative.
During our paddle, at the point where the channel opens to the bay, we discovered a large derelict fishing net entangled in the prop roots of the mangroves. It was obvious it had been there for quite a while. With significant effort and yes, a few cuts and abrasions, we were able to free the roots from the net but due to its cumbersome size, could not make the return paddle to haul it out.
The following day, however, cleanup participant Thad Foote and his Portuguese Water Dog, Wilson, returned by boat to retrieve the net, estimating its weight at approximately 250lbs. From the boat, to the truck, to the dumpster, the cleanup is now complete.