Friday, September 25, 2009

Marine debris data from the Coastal Cleanup

Volunteer groups who took part in the International Coastal Cleanup were asked to tally the types of marine debris they encountered. Although we've only gotten a handful of data sheets back from Tinian and Saipan, the data so far is pretty interesting - considering that most of these things stick around hundreds of years!

I'm listing the most common debris here:
  1. Cigarette butts- 3,555
  2. Caps and lids - 3,046
  3. Plastic beverage bottles - 2,567
  4. Beverage cans - 2,201
  5. Cups, plates, etc. - 1,523
  6. Pull tabs - 1,109
  7. Glass beverage bottles - 758
  8. Plastic bags - 576
Thanks to all the groups who took the time to collect this important information. It will all be submitted to the Ocean Conservancy for its annual worldwide report on marine debris.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Beautify CNMI announces slogan and bumper sticker contest

Beautify CNMI is looking for a new slogan following the successful “What we do on the land can affect our marine environment” campaign started in 2006.

In order to find a new slogan, Beautify CNMI is looking to the community for help.

Artists are being asked to come up with a slogan and to design a bumper sticker that goes along with their slogan. The winner will receive $150 cash and fifty of their winning bumper stickers to give out to friends and family.

The contest is open to all residents of all ages of the Commonwealth. Guidelines for the slogan contest are:

• must be original
• must be relevant to the actions and mission of Beautify CNMI.
• The bumper sticker can be square or horizontally rectangular.
• Artists and participants can submit more than one design and more than one artist can work together on a single submission.
• Designs may be by free-hand sketch, drawing or computer generated, but must be in electronic format to be considered.
• Entries must be submitted by noon on October 24, 2009 and must include the artist's full name, mailing address, telephone number and email address if available.

A brief statement explaining the design and slogan may accompany entries.

All entries will become the property of Beautify CNMI and can be used freely by Beautify CNMI and must be received on or before Thursday, October 24, 2009 at noon. Entries are to be submitted via email to angelovillagomez@gmail.com.

Beautify CNMI reserves the right to modify the winning logo at any time but when possible, Beautify CNMI will work with the original artists to make these changes.

Beautify CNMI reserves the right to correct any information that appears in this contest in error and is not responsible for omissions.

For inquiries contact Angelo Villagomez at 670 285 6462

CNMI Coastal Cleanup a Success!

A big thank you to everyone who volunteered for the International Coastal Cleanup!! In Saipan alone, we collected 7,900 pounds of garbage. Most importantly, the cleanup brought our communities together in stewardship of our environment. We hope for many more educational community events that bring together groups on Tinian, Saipan and Rota.

Photos from our Marine Debris Learning Station at 13 Fishermen:


Kids playing the marine debris timeline game.

School group tallying types of debris collected

Tan Holdings at TSL Plaza Beach to Carolinian Village:

Courtesy Ed Arriola at Tan Holdings

Paseo De Marianas at Makaka Beach:

PDM Promoters before the cleanup

After the cleanup...

Friday, September 18, 2009

24th Annual International Coastal Cleanup

The first CNMI-wide Coastal Cleanup kicks off tomorrow! We've had an amazing response from the public and private sector. Just on Saipan, more than 600 individuals and 25 groups have signed up to reduce the amount of marine debris entering the ocean.

Three marine debris learning stations: Wing Beach, Jeffrey's Beach and 13 Fishermen will be set up to help educate the public as well as engage them in this cleanup. It's important that we not only respond to the marine debris problem but also work to prevent it.

As part of the Ocean Conservancy's program, we've asked participants to collect data on the types and amount of debris observed. The Conservancy compiles this information into a worldwide marine debris report: http://www.oceanconservancy.org

Learn more about marine debris: http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/