The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is part of an international effort to remove marine debris from coastal waters. Alabama joined this effort in 1987. Since then more than 61,513 volunteers in Alabama have removed a total of 1,169,844 pounds of debris and cleaned 3,917 miles of coast. The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the largest single-day volunteer event for the marine environment.

Show your support and concern for Alabama’s waterways by participating in the 24thAnnual Alabama Coastal Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Supplies are limited. On the day of the event, come prepared with sunscreen, a hat, gloves, shoes and lots of water. It gets HOT!

ACTIVITIES THAT PRODUCE MARINE DEBRIS

Recreational and Shoreline Activities – Debris from beachgoers, picnics, sports and games, festivals, as well as litter washed from streets, parking lots, and storm drains.

Ocean/Waterway Activities – Debris from recreational fishing and boating; commercial fishing; cargo, military, and cruise ships; and offshore industries such as oil drilling.

If you haven’t seen them already, look for the white PVC pipes at your local fishing hole along the coast and fill them with your used and broken fishing line. Why should you recycle your monofilament? Because discarded monofilament takes over 600 years before it will begin to biodegrade. During those 600 years, monofilament can entangle or be ingested by fish, sea turtles, birds, marine mammals, and other wildlife.

Smoking Related Activities – The littering of cigarette filters, cigar tips, and tobacco products packaging is common on land and sea.

Dumping Activities – Debris from legal and illegal dumping of building material or large household items.

Medical/Personal Hygiene – This debris can be left by beachgoers as well as disposed of improperly into toilets and city streets. Because medical and hygiene debris often enters the waste stream through sewer systems, its presence on the beach can indicate the presence of other, unseen pollutants.

To Participate, Contact:

Gulf Shores
Lisa Kennedy/251-747-6706
kennedy@gulftel.com
Check-In: Gulf Shores Public Beach

Fort Morgan Peninsula
Jessica Breland/205-405-0380
thebrelandclan@gmail.com
Check-In: Fire Station #1

Orange Beach
April Boone/251-970-5907
april@gmsthebest.biz
Check-In: Cotton Bayou Public Beach