[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s I was walking the beach yesterday, I noticed several boats rafted up just off shore enjoying the sunshine and beautiful Bahamian waters. They have traveled to the island to enjoy all its beauty; the sun, the sea and the sand. This is a consistent image throughout the summer and sadly, the results are far too often the same; a huge pile of trash on the beach.
The dog and I headed out today for our morning beach walk and right where the boats were anchored we found a pile of red solo cups and two empty handles of rum. We walk the beach every day and every day there is new trash. It washes up and deposits itself on this beautiful piece of island paradise. It really infuriates me that people can spend money on a boat and a vacation, travel to this island that they love because of its beaches and incredible ocean, and then trash it without a care in the world. I just don’t understand it.
I am not sure if it is just that people really do not care or they assume it is not their backyard, so why does it matter. It is important to remember yes, you might be on vacation, but why does that justify leaving a mess for the people who call your holiday destination home. Trash on the beach can end up in the water and injure or even kill marine life. It only takes a minute to keep the space you are using clean.
We are all connected and we all need the ocean, whether we live at the beach or 3,000 miles away. Each day we can make a difference and a very easy thing to do is to pick up our trash. The boaters had to be docked somewhere, a place with trash cans where they could have easily gotten rid of the remnants of their fun filled afternoon.
Please be a mindful and respectful visitor no matter where your destination. Don’t leave your trash assuming someone else will take care of it. You can even take it to the next step and pick up other trash you see. The dog and I collect trash every day, but every day there is always more. Please be part of the solution not the problem.
