Origin
Clean Coast Bonaire was initiated in 2018 by Boneiru Duradero and WWF-NL. A visiting expert from the Netherlands provided the OSPAR training & assisted in the selection of the monitoring sites.
The three sites were strategically selected to be geographically different & provide a good sampling of Bonaire coastline. Due to the high-resolution & necessary scheduling of the OSPAR protocol, it's not feasible to use on a wider scale. In fact, it's designed to be more complimentary to existing clean up programs.
There are several other organizations and individuals in Bonaire that also conduct (or have conducted) beach cleaning activities, including One Hour Clean Up Power, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, STINAPA Junior Rangers, Tene Boneiru Limpi & Selibon.
Saba Expansion
In September 2019, Bonaire's sister island of Saba conducted their first OSPAR Marine Litter Monitoring survey at Cove Bay with support from the Saba Conservation Foundation and DCNA.
Bonaire & Saba are part of the same country, yet are approximately 800km apart.
By collecting our marine litter data in a consistent way, we'll be able to get a better idea of what problematic items we share & which are specific to our area.
Harmonization of marine litter monitoring in the Wider Caribbean Region
Clean Coast Bonaire participates in regional conversations regarding harmonization of marine litter monitoring. Based on the original pilot in Bonaire, it is proposed to use the OSPAR protocol in conjunction with the Trash Free Seas programs as a means to harmonize data collection within the Cartagena Convention region and an Action Plan based on our ongoing work was published in 2021.
Education
CCB is a proud supporter of WWF Dutch Caribbean's Nature Education project. Students from the MBO school's Hospitality & Tourism program receive training about marine litter monitoring as part of the curriculum.
Zero Waste
CCB surveys strive to be as zero waste as possible. That means that our gloves, bags & other collection containers are re-usable & upcycled if possible. We also use re-usable cups for drinking water & provide homemade cookies for volunteers.
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