Once again, Anna Maria Island residents who care about our local waters will have a chance to get involved in cleaning them up during the upcoming Suncoast Aqua Ventures water-based cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. until noon. The focus of the cleanup will be Perico Bayou and Northern Palma Sola Bay. There will be about a dozen kayaks available for volunteers, some of which are tandem. Organizers are encouraging those who own kayaks and shallow draft boats to bring them, so no one is left out who wants to be on the water. The event will launch from the Robinson Preserve kayak launch west of the Palma Sola Causeway on the south side of Manatee Avenue West.
All supplies will be provided, including pickers, bags, gloves, drinks and snacks. All volunteers need to bring are water shoes and refillable water bottles. This area has not been cleaned since before Hurricane Ian, so organizers expect to find a lot of trash tucked into the mangroves.
Please register online at https://suncoastaquaventures.com/event/perico-bayou-northern-palma-sola-bay-water-based-clean-up/ so organizers have sufficient supplies and refreshments for everyone. If you have any questions, please call Cheryl Huntsinger at 941-962-1488.
Suncoast Aqua Ventures was created by a handful of friends in 2016. Inspired by Huntsinger and Troy Brown, a bunch of friends who dive and love the water became concerned with the trash and debris they discovered on the offshore reefs. Instead of complaining, they decided to do something about it. They created a one-of-a-kind competitive event called The Reef & Beach Cleanup and gave cash and prizes in numerous categories to the teams that compete. These events to date have collected over 97,000 pounds of marine debris from our waterways. Volunteers come from all ages and all walks of life. They are water enthusiasts, kayakers, fishermen, scuba divers and anyone who has a passion for the local aquatic ecosystem. Come out and meet some of the many passionate and action-oriented citizens on the Suncoast who turn their love of the water into action.
It’s the work of local non-governmental organizations like Suncoast Aqua Ventures, their leaders and members that inspire people to preserve our paradise and give them a way to participate in protecting it. If you’re looking for a way to contribute, join the cleanup on Aug. 3. See you there.
