Team OCEAN partners with Margaritaville volunteers
to net over 300lbs of Marine Debris

February 2017

Photo of Team OCEAN staff explain features of the sanctuary to clean-up volunteers. Team OCEAN staff explain features of the sanctuary to clean-up volunteers.

 

Photo of Margaritaville volunteers who helped clean-up debris from Boca Chica beach. Credit: Nicole Uibel/NOAA Margaritaville volunteers who helped clean-up debris from Boca Chica beach. Click for high resolution image

On February 3rd, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary education and outreach team members coordinated with volunteers from a local restaurant to help clean marine debris from the shorelines of the sanctuary. Staff from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Key West give back to the community by volunteering with local organizations during their ‘weeks of service,' while the restaurant is closed for culinary renovation.

"We wanted to give our staff the opportunity to get involved in the local community," said Sales Manager Stacy Peele. And get involved they did!

Over a dozen volunteers collected more than 300 pounds of marine debris from Boca Chica beach, which borders the Western Sambo Ecological Reserve in Key West, FL. The beach was heavily littered with debris consisting mostly of small plastics, including caps, rope, and bottles, as well as larger items such as shoes and styrofoam buoys.

To learn more about sanctuary marine debris cleanups and how you can help, contact Nicole.Uibel@noaa.gov in the Lower Keys or Eric.Raslich@noaa.gov in the Upper Keys.