Hundreds hit N.J. beaches as part of annual cleanup
In this April 2012 photo, three teens participate in beach sweeps sponsored by the Clean Ocean Action environmental group, removing thousands of items that were either left behind by beachgoers, or that washed up with the tides after being discarded elsewhere. (Wayne Parry/AP Photo, file)
Hundreds of volunteers have swept across dozens of Jersey Shore beaches as part of an environmental group’s annual cleanup program.
Clean Ocean Action staged its 28th annual fall beach sweeps Saturday at more than 60 coastal locations.
Volunteers collected, tallied and removed harmful and unsightly debris from the sites. But details on what they found won’t be formally released until next year.
Organizers say the data from Saturday’s events will be combined with data collected during similar events held this spring, then analyzed and presented in an annual report. The reports identify pollution problems, educate citizens on the types and quantities of debris and contribute to local and international efforts to combat marine pollution.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.