Sea & Learn Foundation coordinates local coastal cleanups that contribute to global understanding of marine litter
Beginning in January 2025, the Sea & Learn Foundation (SLF) will conduct quarterly and targeted coastal cleanups of two sites on Saba. The aim is to assess the quantity and types of litter found in specific areas at Tent Beach and Spring Bay. By collecting this data in a standardized, scientific format that is also being used in other locations, Saba will be contributing to a larger data set about marine litter. This methodology was developed by the OSPAR Convention. OSPAR is the mechanism by which 15 governments & the EU cooperate to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.
Background:
In 2018, the WWF-NL Dutch Caribbean Program established Clean Coast Bonaire to implement OSPAR beach litter monitoring in Bonaire. In 2024, data from this program was analyzed and compared to data from the European Netherlands using the same OSPAR methodology. There was significantly more litter recorded on Bonaire and there was also an upward trend in the amount of litter recorded at the survey sites over time. Following these results, a wider pilot initiative to implement this standardized OSPAR coastal litter monitoring protocol is being supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water and Rijkswaterstaat.
Why is this important?
Marine litter poses significant environmental and ecological challenges globally. Throughout the Caribbean region, marine litter is a major threat to local ways of life, income, and the overall economy of island and coastal communities. Marine litter threatens the survival of wildlife and has negative impacts for successful fisheries and tourism, as well as human health. Coastal litter monitoring is recognized as a cost-effective measure to collect necessary data to guide and evaluate marine litter mitigation efforts. To do so on Saba, SLF has collaborated with Clean Coast Bonaire on training, survey site selection, and initial surveys. Ongoing litter monitoring data collection in this standardized and structured method will be used to raise awareness, inform policy, and support local, regional and international litter reduction measures.
What will SLF be doing and how can I get involved?
Each quarter in January, April, July, and October, SLF will conduct a survey of a specific 50-meter area on both Tent Beach and Spring Bay. SLF asks that no organized cleanups take place at these specific locations outside of the ones conducted by the Sea & Learn Foundation to ensure the most accurate data is recorded. We’re always pleased to hear about cleanup efforts, and we kindly request that any such activities be coordinated with this schedule in mind. Operational Director Emily Malsack stated: “If you are interested in contributing to this valuable research and collaborating with us to support this valuable research, please contact SLF for information about upcoming free training opportunities.”
