Volunteers Collect 275 lbs. Of Debris From Chatham Beaches

CHATHAM – Beginning on official Coastsweep day, Sept. 17, and continuing throughout September and October, 45 Friends of Chatham Waterways (FCW) volunteers swept 18 sites along the town's coastline.

Ridgevale Beach, Cockle Cove Beach, Forest Beach, Hardings Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Jackknife Cove Beach, and the shorelines of Cow Yard Landing, Oyster Pond, Stage Harbor and Mill Pond were scoured during the annual cleanup. FCW's Coastsweep is part of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management's (CMZ) annual coastal cleanup in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastsweep.

Using grabbers provided by FCW, latex gloves and trash bags supplied by CMZ, volunteers this year collected approximately 275 pounds of debris. The most numerous items found were plastic beverage bottles, beverage cans, plastic bags, food wrappers, straws, plastic bottle caps, pieces of rope, tiny foam pieces and shotgun shells. Some of the most interesting, random articles found were a Loran radio, Garmin phone, a commercial fishing buoy, boat cushions, waders, fishing gloves, lures, a wooden sign, wooden decking, a flag and a thermos.

Volunteers record their findings on Ocean Conservancy data cards which are sent to CMZ and then forwarded to the Ocean Conservancy in Washington for analysis and publication. The data provided helps develop programs to reduce marine debris worldwide.

The following volunteers participated in 2023 Coastsweep: Ginny Nickerson, Lisa Edge, Lissa and Dave Potts, Ron Holmes, Tom King, Nobel Hansen, Lauren and Chris Thonus, Allie Thonus, Alex Thonus, Anne Carlson, Rebecca Arnold, Leslie and Mark Massa, Robert Storey, Melissa Chase, Nancy and Richard Baumann, Jeanie Gillis, Louise and Keith Wasley, Eileen Fitzgerald, Rich Swatton, Jane and Mitch Snyder, Jeff Mason, Jazz Mason, Stephanie and Chuck Bartlett, Ellie and Peter Mullen, Jean and Dick Hoyt, Leigh and Dave Hovey, Bill Hayes, Barbara MacLean, Kathy and Stuart Deadrick, Lindsey and Jeff Dill, David MacAdam and Janice and Bob O'Connell. The Hoyt family provided their Port Fortune boat landing as the debris collection drop-off.

To participate in Coastsweep 2024, contact Coastsweep coordinators Betsy Mosser at betsymosser@aol.com or Sue Machie at suzchl@gmail.com.