November 2017

Pez Maya, Mexico

2017 Beach Clean Summary

Objectives

Raise awareness in our volunteers about the importance to keep cleaning the
beaches around the world but above all reduce the amount of plastic used in our
daily activities and spread the word.

Inform to our volunteers from 2017 the final numbers of the trash the collected dur-
ing this year in the Biosphere reserve of Sian Kaan.

Summary

Today, plastic has been found in 62% of all sea birds and in 100% of sea turtle species. That
is the main reason why we put all of our efforts together this year to make a difference and
create an impact in all the people involved in the beach cleans run by GVI in the Sian Kaan
Biosphere Reserve. The numbers of rubbish and items collected are enormous; one more
reason to start changing our consumption habits.

Figure 1. GVI Staff and Volunteers ready for a beach clean

Report

It is necessary to keep our beaches clean to contribute for a better and clean ocean. The
sand and surf is far more than a place to build sand castles and make a dive. Beaches are

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home to various creatures from birds to sea turtles. Many animals depend on land to sur-
vive; land that is untainted by chemical or human waste. Marine life, dwelling only in the
water, is also affected by waste on beaches. When the tides rise, they collect items on the
beach and take the items out when the water recedes, including rubbish. This can have neg-
ative effects on marine life. Animals do not know that a shiny candy wrapper is not meant to
be eaten. It can easily be mistaken as a fish or piece of kelp. If animals ingest rubbish, it can
cause them harm or death. However, rubbish can cause injury even if it is not ingested,
creatures have been reported having straws stuck in their noses, or their heads stuck in
plastic bottle rings. There are ways to prevent this from happening to our ocean creatures.
By keeping this environment rubbish free, people help to protect and preserve marine life.

During the 2017 in the biosphere reserve of Sian Kaan, GVI Staff and Volunteers did beach
cleans every week removing 2,231 kilograms of rubbish of the ones just 201 kg were recy-
clable. Participants collected a total of 104,254 plastic objects in 7,229 meters along the
coast inside of the reserve with a total of 721 volunteers putting all their effort to make this
possible. In total there were collected 149 big rubbish bags.

The next graphic shows the top 10 items found this year:

Figure 2. Top 10 items removed from beaches on GVI Pez Maya beach cleans

Much appretiation to all GVI Staff and volunteers who have helped and contributed to these
numbers and made a huge impact on the health of the coastal areas in the Sian Kaan re-
serve.

For more information on the projects here in Mexico, visit:

http://www.gvi.co.uk/location/yucatan/

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