Volunteers pause for a photo with some of the items that were removed from the beach.
ST. EUSTATIUS--On two separate visits, Broadreach volunteers joined STENAPA for beach cleanups at Zeelandia Beach and Compagnie Bay, removing a remarkable 7,121 pieces of litter from the Statia shoreline.
At Zeelandia Beach, a total of 4,293 items were collected by 40 volunteers, including 601 pieces of fishing gear and 613 plastic bottle caps.
The cleanup at Compagnie Bay saw a total of 2,828 items collected by 42 volunteers, including 866 plastic bottles and 1,333 other plastic items.
A STENAPA representative said that litter poses a serious threat to sea turtles. Turtles can become entangled in discarded fishing gear, mistake plastic for food, or encounter obstacles that prevent hatchlings from safely reaching the ocean. But every piece removed helps create a safer environment for Statia's wildlife. STENAPA extended its appreciation to the Broadreach participants who helped clean Statia's beaches.
