As local residents and businesses in Antigua and Barbuda gear up to observe International Costal Cleanup Day on September 25th, the Initiative has received the endorsement of the Minister of Tourism Hon. John Maginley and Minister responsible for the Environment Hon. Hilson Baptiste.
International Coastal Cleanup Day, is the world’s largest, one-day volunteer effort and more than a half a million volunteers around the world head to the beaches to remove debris and rubbish from shorelines, waterways and oceans.
One of the main goals of the local Coastal Cleanup initiative will be to highlight the important role that the destination's beaches play as part of the coastal ecosystems, as well as key selling points in the tourism product.
Neil Forrester, General Manager is pleased with the response and support that the initiative continues to receive from local businesses, civic groups and residents. With the recent passing of Tropical Storm Earl, Forrester anticipates a good turnout and invites all Antiguans and Barbudans to join this one-day volunteer clean-up effort and make a contribution to the preservation of the destination’s shorelines.
According to Forrester, “The main goal of this Coastal Cleanup Initiative is to promote environmental awareness and establish individual responsibility, as well as the role of local authorities, stakeholders, residents and visitors, in effective coastal planning and management.”
The official programme will kick off at Dickenson Bay on Saturday @ 8:30am. The cleanup effort is intended to be a fun and exciting experience. The format will be a guided coastal tour intended to highlight the unique landscape of the destination’s beaches and other coastal areas, as important assets in the destination’s tourism product.
Several of the island's beach sites have already been designated for the Cleanup effort. These include: Jabberwock, Half Moon Bay, Dickenson Bay. Jolly Beach, Mamora Bay, Hawksbill, Little Ffryes, Galleon Beach and hopefully many more.
As a destination that boasts 365 beaches, the Coastal Cleanup Initiative is expected to become an annual celebration for Antigua and Barbuda. Among the long term goals are to create added value through increased communication, coordination of all related stakeholder groups, the development of a national strategy for coastal planning and management and the establishment of local baseline data to review the impact of dumping and sea related activities on the various beaches.
For more information on the designated beach sites and how to join in the Coastal Cleanup please contact the AHTA at 462.0374.
