Last Sunday (9/8) the Bradenton Yacht Club held their 4th annual reef and beach cleanup. This event, hosted by the Suncoast Aqua Ventures group, awarded cash prizes to divers who collected the most anchors and other participants who collected the most recyclables, most unique items, fishing gear, and others. 

When I learned that this event would go through the trash we collected from our shoreline and recycle what they could, I knew I had to be a part of it.

In about 45 minutes we collected a whole basket full of trash. Some of the most common trash we found were plastic straws and the most unique item we found was a very large, expensive looking work boot (someone had a bad day when they realized that was missing).

The amount of plastic straws we found in just 45 minutes was so sad!! Plastic straws are so detrimental to marine life. They can get stuck in dolphins blow holes, sea turtles can think they’re food and try to eat them, among other sad things. Here’s a link to affordable reusable straws to replace any single use straws you use in the future!

Overall, I’d say the event was a success. So many people brought in the trash they collected and not only was it collected but everything they could recycle they did! I’m so proud of my community for coming together and making our shorelines and ocean a much cleaner place!

Next time you see a piece of trash on the ground, pick it up so it doesn’t end up in our oceans!