Virgin Islands residents will join volunteers from around the globe in cleaning up the world’s coastlines on Sept. 17.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Conservation and Fisheries Department are inviting residents to take part in the 26th annual International Coastal Cleanup.

The event is sponsored by Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC,

Every year, volunteers around the world spend a few hours cleaning a beach, waterway or coastline.

“Marine debris that collects in the ocean can sicken, injure or kill countless marine mammals, sea turtles and birds that ingest or are entangled in trash,” according to the Ocean Conservancy website. “It impacts coastal economies that rely on a healthy and vibrant ocean. However, solving the problem and reducing and preventing trash from entering our waterways is one of the easiest ways we can help protect the ocean.”

Here, CFD Conservation Assistant Jasmine Hodge-Bannis is organising the cleanup effort.

“All residents should be motivated to partake in this initiative once they realise that marine pollution is not just a Virgin Islands problem, but a global one,” Ms. Hodge-Bannis said.

The CFD is asking volunteers to accurately record the type of trash removed, the total number of bags filled, and the estimated weight collected. The information will be sent to Ocean Conservancy for analysis and compilation.

The CFD will host a second cleanup on Sept. 18.

For more information call 468-3429 or 468-3701, extension 5551 or 5555.