PORT ANGELES — Beach cleanup events will occur across Clallam and Jefferson counties during International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, allowing volunteers to help remove thousands of pounds of trash from local coasts.
“Marine debris is one of the greatest threats our ocean faces,” said Sarah Fronk, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission communications manager.
“If not collected, much of the garbage ends up in the ocean where birds, fish and marine mammals get entangled or ingest this debris, and microplastics end up in the food chain,” she added.
Cleanup will occur at nine different locations spanning locations across the eastern and western portions of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, as well as within Olympic National Park (ONP).
On the western portion of the strait, five cleanup locations are available: Shipwreck Point, Chiot Beach, Sekiu River, Hoko River and Clallam Bay.
On Saturday, pre-registered individuals should check in for those locations at the Clallam Bay/Sekiu visitor center between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. After cleanup, individuals can dispose of collected trash at this location.
On the eastern portion of the strait, three locations are available: Ediz Hook, the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Worden.
Pre-registered individuals can check in to those locations at the site between 9 a.m. and noon for Ediz Hook and Dungeness and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for Fort Worden.
To pre-register, individuals should visit coastsavers.org. Registration is open up until the day of the event.
Alternatively, individuals can show up to one of the check-in locations and register on site, although Parks prefers individuals pre-register.
Parks and Washington CoastSavers are co-hosting cleanup at these locations, and they annually cohost three beach cleanup days.
This year, cleanup days have removed about 145,719 pounds of marine and firework debris off beaches, which is 12,000 more pounds than last year, according to a press release.
Cleanup efforts also will be occurring in Olympic National Park (ONP) along the Ozette Loop.
Although pre-registration for that location already has closed, individuals can walk up to register at the Ozette trailhead from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Individuals looking to volunteer at this location must be prepared for the 3-mile hike it takes to access the Ozette beach from the trailhead, and then be prepared to haul the trash they collect back to the trailhead. Motor vehicles are not allowed on any park beaches.
Last year, volunteers at ONP removed 1,620 pounds of trash during International Coastal Cleanup day.
Volunteers at all locations should dress for variable weather conditions, wear sturdy footwear and pack a lunch and plenty of water. They are encouraged to bring reusable gloves and a Discover Pass if they will be parking on state-managed lands.
If individuals are unable to participate in Saturday’s international cleanup efforts, Fronk said they should collect marine debris next time they are at the beach and drop it at a roadside dumpster or in their home garbage or recycling.
“We hope there comes a day when there aren’t hundreds of thousands of marine debris for our volunteers to gather,” Fronk said.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
