Mermaids Clean Up Day March 2009

Mermaids Dive Center Clean Up crew once again made their difference to the local aquatic environment with this month’s underwater and beach cleanup taking place at Hat Nuan. Hat Nuan is one of Pattaya’s near islands with a beautiful beach and an uncompleted underwater restaurant popular with divers and snorkelers.

As always we were fully organised with our clean up kits consisting of work gloves, mesh bags, trash bags, scissors, lift bags and lots of enthusiasm.

Following the objectives set out for the day, 23 cleaners taking part over 2 dives collected 20 bags of trash estimating to weigh about 300kgs. The trash consisted mainly of plastic bags, rope, beverage bottles - glass and plastic, a lot of fishing line and nets, building material and the age old favourite car parts. Conditions were not as expected but our brave cleaners carried on with their quest.

All items are always carefully checked before removal to see if there are any living fish inside. An empty glass bottle may be home to an Octopus as well as doubling up as an artificial eco system. On this cleanup a crab trapped in an abandoned fishing net was safely removed by Jon and Joycey which was released back into the ocean safe and sound.

The most unusual items found on the day were a deck chair and lots of items of clothing and shoes in all various shapes and sizes, including a Power Rangers T Shirt.

Jon Sussman, main organiser for the day said “As ambassadors for the underwater world, it is our responsibility to take care of our reef systems, marine life and beaches”

Thanks to all the people who took part and join us for the next clean up on the 22nd April 2009, a very special day in the Project AWARE calendar - Dive into Earth Day.