International Coastal Cleanup at Nai Yang Beach

On September 25th we organized a beach cleanup in partnership with Indigo Pearl Resort for the Ocean Conservancy's 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup (http://www.oceanconservancy.org/). Close to 300 people joined us for this event, including staff from Indigo Pearl, Adamas Resort and Spa, DEWA, Nai Yang Beach Resort, Home & Life Orphanage, local residents, the local government, the Professor of Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Management from the Asian Institute of Technology, and our students from Wat Mongkol School.

For this worldwide event, our cleanup participants filled out data cards to record the number and type of trash collected to be sent to the Ocean Conservancy to compile a worldwide report of marine debris. Over 105 trash bags weighing a total of 1250 kg were filled. The day was also marked by a small display created by our students at Wat Mongkol showing artwork made from marine trash showing how 'nurdles' (preproduction plastic pellets) end up in our oceans and beaches and the negative effects these small plastic pellots have on marine life.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in this cleanup and we look forward to next years event.