By Suelika N. Buchanan
(Basseterre; St. Kitts): It was a few hours well spent as students from the six high schools in St. Kitts along with some volunteered Royal Marriott Hotel workers and others showed that they believed in the Environment and the importance of keeping the beach clean.
They participated in National Coastal Cleanup Day, earlier today Friday, Sep. 28 with willingness and a good spirit for a worthy cause. According to Andy Blanchette, the Coordinator of the National Beach Cleanup which is organized by the Department of Physical Planning and the Environment, the debris collected were separated, recorded and weighed to determine origin.
“Most of the times we find that the debris deposited on the beach are done so carelessly or unintentionally by people who visit the beach and picnic on the beach or even some ships throw stuff in the water that usually wash up on shore,” he said. “However, today was very successful, the students showed willingness and I think it will especially help those students who do Geography and Social Studies in school where they can use the experience to help them in their SBA’s.”
The information collected will go to a worldwide database and be used to better understand behaviors that cause debris. According to a press release, “more than ever before plastic bags and bottles are ending up on our beaches and oceans, killing marine life and threatening tourism opportunities.”
The final information will also be used to educate the public, business, industry and government officials about the problem, which is key to finding long-lasting solutions.
The schools that participated were Washington Archibald High School that cleaned Cockleshell Beach, Sandy Point High School that cleaned Pump Bay.
Also Verchilds High School that cleaned Sand Bank, St. Theresa’s Convent High School that cleaned Majors Beach, Cayon High that cleaned Sandy Bank and Dieppe Bay Beach and Basseterre High School that cleaned Banana Beach.
SKNVibes.com spoke briefly with three students of the Sandy Point High School that were excited about the cleanup.
Tazzi Adams, Tanise Warner and Ashley Wyatt said that they felt the beach cleanup was important.
“In terms of tourists visiting our country and beaches, cleaner beaches would be better for our tourism industry,” said Adams.
The young ladies encouraged everyone that when visiting the beach they should pay close attention to their garbage and advised that people should walk with garbage bins. They also said that debris not only affect our Tourism product but also the animals of the Sea World and those that graze on the beach.
