Press Release

Release Date:  Immediately

Contact:  George C. A. Emmanuel

722 2274/2431

Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE)

Taking the lead in “Beach Clean-Up”

Punta Gorda Town July 7, 2006

Friday July 7, 2006 met the TIDE staff doing what they are known for, taking care of our fragile environment.  Spearheaded by the Science and Stewardship     Director Dr. Robin Coleman, a number of staff members including those in  management, rangers and others met early in the morning around 6:00  a.m. to do what seems like an impossible task.

The entire stretch of one mile on the coast of the town is strewn with garbage at this time of writing.  How do they get rid of the garbage is another scenario altogether.  After filling two of the patrol boats and carrying the filthy, smelly stuff to the embankment area at Joe Taylor Bridge, it was placed in large garbage bags and disposed of at the dumping site. This attempt is considered as scraping the surface of what needs to be done.

Plastic bottles and bags, pieces of styrofoam, remains of animals, empty chemical containers and syringes were some of the stuff identified among hundreds of other pieces of debris which may possibly be toxic to humans and the marine life that is being protected

in the area.

TIDE wishes to express gratitude to the donors and sponsors who make their work

possible and is calling on the general public to volunteer and do their part in helping to clean the beach.  The origin of the garbage cannot be ascertained but is suspected to come from the neighboring countries of Guatemala and Honduras. What is important is that it is an unsavory sight and it will take all of our efforts to get rid of it.