Mark your calendar for Clean Ocean Action’s semi-annual “Beach Sweep.” The annual spring and fall ritual will be held rain or shine 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 21 on 60 beaches throughout Atlantic County and the state. The beach sweep is a great family activity that promotes pride in coastal communities and helps the marine environment.
Beach Sweep locations in Atlantic County are:
- Atlantic City – Albany and Florida avenues
- Brigantine – 17th Street
- Longport – 33rd Avenue
- Margate – Granville Avenue
- Ventnor City – Newport Avenue
Volunteer are asked to register in advance to ensure there are enough supplies for everyone. Volunteers will be required to sign a waiver. Check with the beach sweep captain upon arrival.
Longport Borough/Volunteers get to areas where beach rakes can’t.
Volunteers are instructed not to pick up debris that makes them uncomfortable or are potentially hazardous. Beach captains will supply trash and recycling bags, data cards and pencils. Hand sanitizer will be available.
To reduce the number of plastic bags used, volunteers may BYOB (Bring your own bucket).
Clean Ocean Action will compile data provided by volunteers on data cards and produce a report showing the results of semi-annual beach sweeps.
The data provides information that can be used to determine sources of pollution, trends, and to promote solutions through legislation. For example, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy used COA information on the number of cigarette butts collected to help pass legislation banning smoking on public beaches and parks in New Jersey.
To sign up as a volunteer, junior captain or captain, see https://cleanoceanaction.org/beach-sweeps
Read last year’s report here: 2022_Beach_Sweeps_Annual_Report
