As part of the C.R.A.B.S. project (Cleanup and Research in Action for Biodiversity safekeeping), on Sunday, May 9th, we spent a day with The Black Bag and Outdoor Portofino crew to clean up the waters and coastline of Niasca Bay, in the paradise of Portofino Park.

About twenty of us, with wetsuits and nets, snorkeled with the goal of collecting waste from under the sea surface and bringing it ashore for disposal.

In addition, some used kayaks and SUPs to venture further out and retrieve waste brought in by recent storms.

Besides the beach, we also went up the river and prevented waste from land from reaching the sea.

The results of the day were impressive given the size of the beach and despite being within the protected marine area.

- More than 4,000 fragments of plastic bags,

- Over 150 food packaging, snack wrappers, and straws,

- Over 50 large and medium-sized pieces of polystyrene,

- Half a surfboard,

- An inflatable mattress,

- A beach umbrella,

- A deckchair,

- 2 buoys,

- Over 50 cigarette butts.

When it comes to plastic, what we do for our sea is never enough.

See you at the next cleanup, meanwhile, if you find any waste around, take it with you and dispose of it properly.

Every day is a cleanup day!