Paula and Celeste Ferrer10 and 13 years old, respectively, arrived early this Saturday at El Escambron beach, in San Juan, with their father, Edgardo Ferrer. The intention was for them to participate in the “Deep Cleaning” led by Scuba Dogs Society, in order to rescue marine species affected by debris. But in the end, more than doing volunteer work, the activity was an educational experience for the sisters, who learned – firsthand – the importance of environmental conservation, particularly of the coasts.
“Many people are not aware of what they are doing, that everything ends up in the sea and that animals can choke on (discarded) plastic and die”lamented Paula.
Together with their father, the minors found a hook or marine anchor, other metals, plastics and glass.
“All that ends up in the ocean and pollutes it”deplored Celeste, for her part.
Among the volunteers, there was also Damaris Ramirez16 years old, who, together with the marine biologist Francisco Perezjumped into the water to snorkel while removing trash from the sea.
“We saw a lot of squid in groups, lobsters and fish, especially blue ones,” said the eleventh grade student at the Papa Juan XXIII School in Bayamón.
Glass bottles and aluminum cans were, meanwhile, the debris most found, said Pérez, who highlighted the importance of protecting the El Escambron area to help the diverse marine life of this habitat.
Alberto Marti, founder of Scuba Dogs Society, pointed out that the main goal of the non-profit organization is, precisely, to raise awareness of preserving the environment in children and youth. “Your footprint in harmony,” he said, is his motto.
Martí explained to several volunteers of the activity that part of the marine life that constantly has to be rescued from the coast of El Escambron includes octopuses and small crabs, fish larvae and starfish, among other fauna that is trapped in bottles, plastics. and other types of garbage. He added that turtles become entangled in the hooks of fishermen who dare to fish in the area, one of the reasons why he urged continuing the effort to convert El Escambron into a statutorily protected marine reserve.
“Every year, we have more volunteers and we find less trash, but we still find plastics”he explained.
As an anecdote, Martí related that, on one occasion, they found a shark in the area with its fins cut off, almost dying. In addition to being a cruel act, he maintained, this practice is prohibited by law.
While, Giovanni Rojas, Jose Requeme, Natalia Reyes and Francisco Martínez, all eleventh grade students, took advantage of the activity to complete the “green contact” hours required by their schools. Along the way, the group of friends learned the importance of defending the environment.
“People have to be more considerate, it doesn't cost anything to save your garbage and throw it away later or walk a few steps until you find a trash can”commented Rojas.
The “Deep Cleaning” was carried out simultaneously on 13 other beaches. During the event, held within the framework of the Planet Earth Month, 460 volunteers participated, 4,700 pounds of garbage were collected and 40 species were rescuedAmong them are an octopus, crabs, shrimp, fish, urchins and starfish.