As part of a global effort to rid the world's oceans of marine debris, countries from around the world participate in the International Coastal Cleanup every September. Here on Okinawa the campaign is called the "Okinawa Cleanup Yuimaru" and is spearheaded by the Okinawa International Clean Beach Club - a volunteer group that was created in 1992 - with cooperation from PADI Project Aware. As the official Okinawa International Coastal Cleanup Coordinator, we ask for your support by either organizing your own beach cleanup, or simply volunteering on September 17 and 18 at any one of our scheduled locations. (If you are organizing your own cleanup, your cleanup can take place on any day between 9/1 and 10/31.)

The collection of marine debris data by volunteers has been a unique feature to this annual cleanup. Our findings are put into a data base, published in a yearly report, and shared with other organizations. The data is also sent to the Japan Environment Action Network (JEAN) in Tokyo, and Ocean Conservancy in Washington D.C., and to the United Nations, where it is used to help create international laws and treaties concerning marine pollution. The data has played an important part in the passing of the Marine Pollution Act (MARPOL) and has assisted in tracing marine debris to its source. Thus, the work of volunteers is very crucial to the future of our oceans.

In fourteen years of organizing this island-wide volunteer effort, the Okinawa International Clean Beach Club, together with over forty-five thousand volunteers, has removed tons of marine debris from Okinawa's coastline. We have saved countless numbers of fish and mammals from ingesting marine debris, while making Okinawa's coastline a safer place for everyone. Please help us to continue to make our island cleaner and safer for future generations. For more information on how you can help, please call 965-5371.