Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Annex 4Submitted abstracts accompanyingposter presentationsThe Isles of Shoals coastal clean-up efforts from June-September 2012 was successful especially with respectto the amount of debris and derelict gear that was legallyremoved. Future coastal clean-ups at the Isles of Shoalsor other remote islands will entail earlier coordinationand notification of partners, marine patrol/conservationofficers and island managers.National cleanup: Costa Rica Green and CleanGiovanna Longhi501 Blackberry, Austin, Texas 78745, USAglonghi@terranostra-cr.orgIn 2009 we initiated the program “National Cleanup” thatwas carried out during the month of September in theframework of the International Coastal Cleanup of OceanConservancy. The objective of the program is to make thepopulation aware of the negative impact of solid waste onhuman health and on ecosystems, and the urgency withwhich we must take action to solve this problem.During the 4 year history of the program, we have carriedout cleanups in communities, rivers and beaches and withthe aid of near 13,000 volunteers we have collected morethan 166 metric tons of solid waste.To realize these campaigns, we recruited the sponsorshipof private enterprises and we make alliances withsome of the main media outlets, in order to delivereducational messages on waste management to thegeneral population and as a way to recruit volunteers.Additionally, each City Hall played a very importantrole. They became responsible for removing the wastecollected during the cleaning effort. The program dependsand counts on the endorsement of the National Ministryof Environment, Energy and Telecommunication.lines and can die or their ability to move can becomecompromised which affects their capacity for capturingfood and/or escape from predators. Additionally, thisdebris can cause wounds and mutilate the limbs of theturtles. Furthermore, the smallest residues affect mainlyseabirds as albatrosses and fulmars, that confuse thiswaste for food. Upon consuming large quantities, the birdscan die of starvation since they feel full or they are notable to absorb the nutrients of the food. Also they candie of suffocation because of being blocked. Additionally,the plastic releases Bisphenol A, a toxic subtance thatcontaminates the water and causes negative effects tothe marine animals.In our opinion, there are two key factors leading to thesuccess of this program. One it is the education andawareness of the population through mass media.The other it is the participation of the volunteers in thecleanups. This leads the population to participate inrecycling programs and the volunteers to take personallythe magnitude of the problem making changes in theirfamily, community and working life.The main challenge that we face is to obtain theeconomic resources to give continuity to the project.This limitation does not permit us to includepermanent qualified personnel, assuring itscontinuity over time.In order to replicate this effort we recommend threemain solutions:1. Build a strong relationship with media outlets.2. Garner oficial government support for both educationaland the physical effort3. Build a bridge to local volunteer organizationsDuring the cleaning, up until now we have not foundanimals injured, entangled or suffocated by waste.Nevertheless, 80% of the items that we encounter duringthe clean up are made of plastic (chiefly bottles andplastic caps and plastic bags). Different investigationsreveal that plastic is one element of the debris that isaffecting more marine species. In the case of the turtles,they can become entangled in plastic ropes or fishing41