On Saturday, February 4, Clean Ocean Access (COA) organized a beach cleanup at Gull Cove Fishing Area in Portsmouth, where dozens of volunteers braved the freezing temperatures to clean the coastline of the popular boating and fishing area.
Forty-seven volunteers gathered and collected 221 pounds of debris around the perimeters of Gull Cove shoreline, where taller brush has been known to trap a surplus of various items of debris. Cigarette butts frequently become entangled in the brush. Volunteers collected 114 cigarettes and cigarette filters from the Gull Cove shoreline, accounting for a significant portion of the individual items found at the cleanup. Over the years, Gull Cove has been misused as a dumping site, and as a result volunteers this weekend stumble upon larger marine debris items, such as tires, a car bumper, and a synthetic Christmas tree. The volunteers worked to collect marine debris and litter along the shoreline at Gull Cove, including large debris such as a fishing rod, two car tires, a car bumper and bike tire, as well as 86 glass bottles, 62 plastic bottles.
Among the volunteers from the weekend cleanup there were students from Salve Regina University, Navy Supply Corps School and Middletown High School. “I wanted to promote a good relationship between the navy and the island community,” said Nick, a student with the Navy Supply Corps School, whose students frequently volunteer at COA cleanups. “We want to help make the community better; after all, we provide defense for the nation and the country means a lot to us, so we want to make sure it’s in pristine condition.”
This weekend’s cleanup gathered both veteran and new volunteers who helped clean up the local coastal environment for the betterment and enjoyment of all residents. “I’m a new Newport resident and I came out here to meet with people that also want to help clean the environment,” said Jinal Patel who recently moved to Aquidneck Island.
COA actively recruits volunteers for the flexible cleanup program, which allows residents to get involved and make a difference in the community on their own time. If you are interested in adopting a section of Sachuest Point for monthly flexible cleanups email: jessica.frascotti@cleanoceanaccess.org. For more information and upcoming volunteer opportunities visit: www.cleanoceanaccess.org/action/volunteer/.
