September 21, 2024, Pangapasan Island, Tubigon, Bohol – As part of the worldwide effort to safeguard our oceans, the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc. (CCEF) joined hands with various local government units (LGUs) and community volunteers for the annual SCUBAsurero initiative in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2024.
This year’s underwater cleanup, spearheaded by the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) in collaboration with CCEF’s Protect Danajon Project. Seventeen trained divers from various agencies, including the DREAM (Danajon Research and Monitoring) Team and local offices such as the PDRRMO, MDRRMO, and MENRO of Tubigon, teamed up with BPEMO and CCEF to dive 14 meters deep, covering an estimated distance of 400 meters on the reef. Together, they collected approximately 76.5 kilograms of marine debris, ranging from glass and plastic bottles to discarded fishing gear, electronic waste, and even tires. This underwater effort complements the ongoing work of the Protect Danajon Project, which strives to preserve the natural beauty and ecological value of the reef.
Volunteers cataloged the trash using the Volunteer Ocean Trash Form as they recovered large quantities of plastic food wrappers (139 pieces), glass beverage bottles (55 pieces), and fishing nets (50 meters), alongside unusual items like three discarded household appliances and two electronic devices. The trash was sorted into seven bags for proper disposal.
The International Coastal Cleanup Day underscores the importance of collective action in the fight against ocean pollution, and this year’s SCUBAsurero proved once again that local collaboration is key to achieving long-lasting environmental impact. The data gathered from the cleanup also feeds into ongoing research and advocacy efforts to better protect the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef for future generations.
Key Statistics from the SCUBAsurero Cleanup:
- Beverages bottles (glass) : 55 pcs
- Beverages bottles (plastics) : 29 pcs
- Bottles (Cans) : 10 pcs
- Bottle caps : 10
- Fishing lines, ropes and etc: 10 meters
- Fishing nets: 50 meters
- Diapers : 3 pcs.
- Cups, plates (plastic) :2 pcs
- Food Wrappers (coffee, chips ects) : 139 pcs.
- Appliances : 3 pcs
- Tires: 1pc
- Clothing: 42 pcs.
- Electronic wastes (Phones, batteries) : 2pcs
- Footwear : 1pc
- Total Bags Filled: 7 bags
Estimated total kilograms of trash collected: 76.5 kilograms
With the collective power of community efforts like these, we can ensure that our marine environments are cleaner and healthier for generations to come.
