BATTERED BEACHES BENEFIT FROM BEACH
SWEEPS
Thousands of Volunteers Helped
Restore NJ Beaches and Waterways after Superstorm Sandy – Annual Spring Beach
Sweeps – Saturday, April 27
Coastal New Jersey – Today, thousands of volunteers
hit the beaches to participate in Clean Ocean Action's (COA) 28th Annual Spring
Beach Sweeps at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore. Volunteers removed and
catalogued each piece of debris to document ongoing pollution issues, making
Beach Sweeps the first tally of debris since Superstorm Sandy. Robust
crowds were reported up and down the coast.
This year, Beach Sweeps has been folded into Clean
Ocean Action’s Wave of Action For The Shore program, a monthly volunteer
initiative started in December 2012 to help the people, businesses, habitats
and waterways of New York and New Jersey affected by Superstorm Sandy.
Beach Sweeps will be the first Wave of Action where data will be
collected, a vital addition which will help inform citizens and elected
officials of pollution problems after Superstorm Sandy.
“This is the first event where we will be collecting data
from clean-up activities since Superstorm Sandy, said Clean Ocean Action
Executive Director Cindy Zipf. “The outpouring of support from citizens has
been inspiring, and we are looking forward to a great day,” she added.
The data collected today will be combined with data
collected at the Fall Beach Sweep in October, and then analyzed and presented
in an annual report. These annual reports identify pollution problems, educate
citizens on the types and quantities of debris, aid legislators in passing and
enforcing laws to protect the marine environment, and contribute to local and
international efforts to combat marine pollution. Clean Ocean Action
released the 2012 Annual Beach Sweep Report last week (available at www.cleanoceanaction.org).
“Clean Ocean Action is excited to integrate the 28th Annual
Spring Beach Sweeps as part of the Waves of Action, a year-long initiative to
recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,”
commented Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Program Manager. “Sandy hit
the Jersey Shore hard and littered our beaches with a huge amount of debris,”
added Danch.
Key to the program’s success are the Beach Captains that
lead each of the Beach Sweeps locations. These dedicated volunteers manage the
activities.
“Thank you to everyone who generously volunteers their time
to the COA Beach Sweeps. Without your participation this event would not be
such a success. This year, as a result of the devastation of Storm Sandy, your
participation is needed more than ever,” said Asbury Park North Beach
Captain Ann Abbate.
“More now than ever we need your support and sense of pride
in your beach community,” explained Franz Adler Margate Beach Captain.
“We know Sandy knocked us down, but the true measure is how well we get back
up,” he added.
“Thanks to Clean Ocean Action and all the many volunteers
that care enough and come out to make a difference. I hope one day there will
be no need for Beach Sweeps because our oceans and beaches will be clean,”
remarked Middle School Student and Union Beach Captain Peter Donnelly.
“Until then you will find me cleaning our oceans and streams every chance I
get,” he said.
The Spring Beach Sweeps were made possible by support from
generous sponsors. The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach
Sweeps are Atlantic City Electric, Aveda, BD, Brook 35 & West, Comcast,
Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, Wakefern/ShopRite, South Jersey
Industries, TD Bank (South Jersey and Monmouth County Sponsor) The Grove at
Shrewsbury and United Teletech Financial.
The Site Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are
Adventure Aquarium, Brookdale Community College, Enterprise Rent A Car, New
Jersey Natural Gas, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates, Rotary Club
International District 7510, Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Shore Chapter and
Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter.
Spring 2013 Beach Sweeps Highlights and Unusual Items
Found:
- Raritan Bay Waterfront
Park (South Amboy) – Volunteers found an unexploded ordnance!
The county police and state police bomb squad response unit arrived on the
scene.
- Seaside Park
– Beach Sweepers found stuffed animals from the boardwalk, debris from the
log flume ride, a sea horse, jawbone of a fish, toy saxophone and a piece
of coal. A coal barge was sunk off Seaside Park in 1903 and
Superstorm Sandy has moved the barge around a bit and loosened the coal.
The Beach Captain at Seaside Park, John Peterson was given a Community
Builder Award by Mayor Matthies for his involvement in Beach Sweeps for
over 13 years.
- Atlantic Highlands
– A record number of volunteers at Atlantic Highlands filled over 3
dumpsters full of debris. The dumpsters were generously brought by
Matt and Rich of J.H. Reid Construction based in South Plainfield,
NJ. The Harbor Master, John was also a huge help.
- Sandy Hook – Over
720 volunteers found a backpack full of personal belongings and enough
lumber and debris to over fill the dumpster! Senator Frank
Pallone spoke on site as well.
- Atlantic City – Senator
Jim Whelan joined volunteers and Atlantic City Electric President
Vince Maione.
- Belmar 1st
Avenue – Over 150 Beach Sweepers found tiles from the old public
restrooms of the Belmar boardwalk.
- Keansburg – 125+
volunteers found a lot of medical waste.
- Pt. Pleasant Beach,
Maryland Avenue – Over 50 volunteers found a 55 gallon plastic drum
syringe, cans, bottles, roofing and some dog poop!
- Wildwood, Poplar Avenue
– 70+ Beach Sweepers found a hard drive, fake flowers, a boogie board and
a welcome mat.
- Union Beach – Over
100 volunteers found a garden gnome and enjoyed an after party organized
by Barefoot Wine. Another after party was held down in North
Wildwood.
- Sea Bright – A
record number of volunteers came into Sea Bright today, so many that COA
staff had to deliver more supplies!
