No shark reports = More trash

Mondays-August 3rd and August 10th 2015 in zone 4.

I know the title of this post may be a little controversial or at least up for debate, but I believe it is true.  I have been walking the beach on Mondays since 2008.  I have been walking in zone 4 since 2010 (I think that is right).  From what I have noticed and observed, the beginning of this summer seemed very clean.  The other volunteers said the same thing.  But, for the past few weeks, the trash has increased considerably and I no longer feel, "The beach is clean this year".

So, what is the difference?  In the beginning of the summer, we had several shark attacks in NC over a period of days and then weeks.  I heard two of the local surf schools say that business was down.  I heard a few of the locals say that they were a little timid to get in the water as well ( I am one of those locals).  Fewer people visiting the beach always = less trash.  After all, where does the trash come from---HUMANS.

I don't know why the sharks seemed to be more populous and attacking in the beginning of the summer.  Lots of people and experts have shared their opinions.  It is my personal, non-scientific opinion that they were migrating through following bait fish that were perhaps here because of warmer waters.  Who knows?  But the attacks have seemed to stop (knock on wood), people are less scared to go in the water, more people are visiting, and we (HUMANS) are leaving our trash behind.

Please take your trash with you.  Do a quick 15 - 20 minute beach clean up while you are here visiting. Give back to the ocean.  The Ocean is, after all, the reason we are able to live on this planet.  It is our water source.  Keep It Clean.

Even with all the trash, WB is Gorgeous!  Just take a look at this sunrise!

Here are the crazy numbers for the past two Mondays:
72 cigarette butts, although WB is a non-smoking beach.  There were many more, but no time to clean.
163 food wrappers-this includes anything that food is packaged in.

cellophane and saran wrap and other food packaging items.  This could really clog up a marine animal.

60 plastic bottle caps!

2 metal bottle caps

22 various plastic lids

46 straws/stirrers--such an easy thing to refuse.  Just say, "No straw please" when you dine out.

2 pieces of plastic cutlery

8 plastic bottles

1 glass bottle

2 aluminum cans

2 plastic grocery bags

1 paper cup

10 plastic cups

1 foam plate

1 fishing foam bob

28 plastic and foam packaging including 2 pieces of bubble wrap

8 other plastic bottles--travel size shampoo and conditioner bottles left in the parking lot

10 tobacco packaging--again, WB is non-smoking

3 balloons

1 plastic cigar tip

1 piece of painters tape

28 fireworks debris

12 foam pieces

31 plastic pieces

31 paper pieces

15 articles of clothing including flip flops, hats, shirts, and bikini top inserts
20 toys
7 towels

2 artificial flower petals-we find these every week near Oceanic

2 dryer sheets

1 medicine blister pack

4 chap sticks

1 plastic nose guard from sunglasses

1 AA battery

2 hair ties

20 bandaids and medical wrapping tape????

1 name tag sticker belonging to "Stephanie" who may be a veterinarian

5 plastic zip ties

1 broken plastic umbrella stake

1 plastic dental flosser

1 pair of goggles

10 various ropes and straps

8 tent stakes

1 tent

1 canvas tent cover

1 board leash

2 surf wax

1 silica gel pack

1 wet one

1 metal shower curtain hanger??

THAT'S ALL!

Peace and Clean Oceans

Ginger, Gigi Dog and Foxy Cat