PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Over 40 volunteers, including three groups of Pathfinders, dived, snorkelled, kayaked and walked around Mullet Pond in Simpson Bay Lagoon on Sunday morning as part of a litter clean-up organized by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and supported by Be the Change Foundation, Nature Foundation, Tri-Sport, the Department of VROMI, and Island Water World.
Within two hours, the 20-foot dumpster provided by VROMI was filled to capacity. Most of the waste pulled from the water was broken and lost boat parts, including engine covers, stainless railings, awnings and nets. However, there was also plenty of general garbage including buckets, chairs, wood and a toilet. Unfortunately, trapped in the mangroves were plenty of pervasive single-use plastics, which are not biodegradable and often not recyclable, becoming a toxic part of the food chain. EPIC joins with other organizations in supporting a ban of single-use plastics in Sint Maarten.
Divers reported that the Lagoon bed, which is home to important seagrass, is now almost clear of garbage. Fibreglass could not be removed as there are no facilities to dispose of it in Sint Maarten currently. There are two boat wrecks in Mullet Pond that will be removed along with related debris, including fiberglass, during the salvaging program slated for early 2020, funded by the National Recovery Project.
EPIC thanks the many volunteers and donors who made this event possible. The foundation encourages the public to reduce the use of single-use plastics and always dispose of waste properly, keeping our island beautiful and safe.
Photo caption: Volunteers with litter pulled from Mullet Pond. Credit: Fabi Fliervoet
