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Our oceans, beaches and coastal waterways are full of many land-based items that do not naturally belong there, creating an enormous pollution problem called marine debris. Take Action. Marine Debris Plastic Alternatives Coastal Development Don't be shy. Say hi! Send Success! Message received. Boca Save our Beaches would love to hear from you! We need assistance in regulating dune and beach conservation through volunteering and community involvement. In addition, we love beach cleanups!

Marine debris is any kind of man-made litter that makes its way into the ocean. The most common types of marine debris are plastic water bottles, plastic bags, plastic bottle caps and plastic straws. You can help by saying no to plastic. Marine Debris. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Marine debris is any kind of man-made litter that makes its way into the ocean. It can end up there in a number of ways such as people leaving trash on the beach, boaters throwing their garbage over board, and from companies or individuals illegally disposing waste into the ocean. The most common types of marine debris in order of how much is retrieved from ocean clean-ups include (1) plastic water bottles, (2) plastic bottle caps, (3) plastic bags, and (4) plastic straws. Other typical marine debris found includes paper bags; fishing gear like nets, lines, and crab/shrimp pots; cloth; wood; and pieces of glass, metal, and rubber from a wide range of products. Scientists estimate that more than 8 million metric tons of plastic alone is entering into our ocean every single year, making that a total of over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic currently floating around in the ocean. In 5 years, we can expect more debris than fish in the sea! Unfortunately, plastic in particular is a big concern because it takes an extremely long time for it to decompose in the ocean. Unlike a paper bag that decomposes in only one month, plastic bags and plastic straws can take 1000 years to decompose. Why is it a problem? Marine debris is causing some major problems in the ocean that impact wildlife, natural resources, and our quality of life. Sadly, ocean trash can harm marine wildlife. Over 1,200 species including dolphins, sharks, turtles, and seabirds often mistaken the trash for food, causing them to accidentally ingest items like plastic bags, plastic caps, bottles, and fishing line. The plastics can cause irritation or damage to their digestive system, leading to malnutrition or starvation. Plastic has been found in 59% of sea birds like albatross and pelicans, in 100% of sea turtle species, and more than 25% of fish sampled from seafood markets around the world. This is a real problem for us as well because as marine life eat the plastic, these pollutants work their way up the food chain and onto our plate. Wildlife can also get entangled in the debris. Nets, ropes, line, or other fishing gear; packing bands; rubber bands; balloon string; six-pack rings; and a variety of other marine debris can wrap around marine life and cause injury, illness, suffocation, starvation, and even death. Another concern is that plastic debris attracts and concentrates pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) from surrounding seawater, posing a contamination risk to those animals that then ingest it. Scientists continue to study the impacts of that contamination on fish and shellfish, and as well as the possible impact it may have on human health. Marine debris can also break, smother, damage, and destroy important marine habitats, such as coral reefs. Many of these habitats are critical to marine ecosystems and the survival of many species. How YOU can help! Addressing the problem of marine debris in the ocean begins with our actions on land. We need to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics and other materials and cut back on single-use disposable products like plastic water bottles and plastic utensils. Cleaning up the beaches is also critical to keeping all kinds of waste out of the ocean. Join one of our beach cleanups to help make a difference! Share

The most common type of marine debris found in our ocean is plastic, harming wildlife and damaging the marine ecosystem. Plastic Alternatives. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Plastic is everywhere we look. Over the last fifty years, plastic has become the material of choice for many of the products we use on a daily basis. Unfortunately, it is also the most common type of marine debris found in our ocean harming wildlife and damaging the marine ecosystem. The biggest issue with plastic is that it hangs around for a very long time. It takes a plastic bottle 450 years to decompose and a plastic straw or plastic bag 1,000 years to start to decompose. After the 450 years, plastic starts to break down into micro-plastics which never go away. Did you know that every piece of plastic ever made still exists today? All of this plastic is piling up and lingering in the ocean for generations. The good news is that we can choose alternatives to all of that plastic. Here are ways YOU can help! 1. Stop buying water Unless there’s some kind of contamination crisis, plastic water bottles are an easy target for reducing waste. Instead, keep a refillable bottle handy for water. And, bring a mug for your other favorite beverages - even when ordering take out. Reuse Although plastic bags are free and convenient, they have a high environmental cost because they never degrade and are the number one source of plastic pollution. Always carry reusable bags including grocery bags and produce bags, just keep them in your car for easy access. Say no to to-go containers. Styrofoam and plastic to-go containers contain harmful chemicals and additives. You can bring your own containers and utensils when ordering take-out. Also, p urchase food (such as cereal, pasta and rice) from bulk bins while using a reusable container. Skip the straw Stop using plastic straws. If a straw is necessary, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw. Give up gum Gum used to be made of tree sap, but these days it is actually made from polymer. Polymer is a type of plastic made from oil that is similar to the products used in tires (rubber). Gross! Don't believe plastic is biodegradable There are 7 types of plastic. But, only plastic types 1 and 2 are routinely and efficiently recycled. Make sure if you must buy plastic - to look on the bottom of the bottle for the type of plastic. If you have questions about recycling, check out https://search.earth911.com/ . Always p urchase compostable plastic over biodegradable plastic. Plastic purge Looking for more information on how to use less plastic, eat better, keep toxins out of your body, and help save sea turtles? Read the Plastic Purge by Michael Sanclements . Share

Boca Save our Beaches is a 100% volunteer group. Any donation received goes right back into the community. Donate Donate today to Boca Save our Beaches Your gift will help us save our beaches and preserve our environment for future generations. Make a tax deductible donation today! Donate Now REGISTRATION#: CH52020 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Developed coasts change natural beach processes and impact marine wildlife. In order to protect our beaches we must control coastal development. Coastal Development. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Protecting our beaches and ocean means that we need to control coastal development, which covers a wide range of projects including beachfront construction of homes, hotels, restaurants, and roads; beach renourishment projects; seawall construction; and nearshore dredging and oil platform construction. Unfortunately, developed coasts change natural beach processes and impact marine wildlife. Even just one building can change the natural movement of wind, which can disrupt sand transport and rainwater runoff - negatively impacting plants and animals. Development also leads to more people in and around the ocean. Recreational activities have a huge impact on the marine ecosystem. For example, careless boating, diving, snorkeling, and fishing damage coral reefs and can put marine wildlife at risk. Coastal development can harm wildlife, damage habitats, and lead to more flooding: Wildlife. Marine animals such as whale sharks, seals, dugongs, dolphins, whales, and birds are disturbed by boats and people getting too close. Sea turtles are especially impacted by coastal development, forcing nesting females to travel to other beaches to lay eggs. Obstacles on the beach, such as beach chairs, make it more difficult if not impossible for female sea turtles to lay eggs and hatchlings to get to the ocean as needed. The sea turtles’ habitat is also affected by the pollution resulting from runoff and wastewater discharge. Seawall construction can also create barriers to nesting turtles and cause unnatural erosion of beaches. In Florida, most sea turtle strandings are the result of collisions with boats. Habitat Damage. Mangroves and coral reefs are greatly impacted by coastal development. We depend on mangroves to help reduce storm surge, but they are being cleared for logging, shrimp farming, and to create more open beaches. This is causing increased shoreline hazards and beach erosion. Construction projects involving piers, channels, airstrips, dikes, and land reclamation can kill coral reefs. The development activities cause erosion, resulting in sediment run-off that eventually reaches the coral and damages it. When coral reefs disappear, we see more beach erosion, land retreat, and sedimentation. Flooding. As coastal populations increase and natural coastal protections are degraded or lost, sea-level rise and changes in storm patterns due to climate change are likely to cause damaging floods. Ironically the same people who enjoy living along the beach will experience the most damage. What we can do. We can curtail this damage by lobbying for effective planning and land use regulations in our community that include land-use zoning plans and regulations, protection of coastal habitats, coastal setbacks that restrict development within a fixed distance from the shoreline, watershed management, improved collection and treatment of wastewater and solid wastes, and management of tourism. Share

Meet and follow Seymour of the Sea to "see more" of the sea and learn about debris! - an interactive children’s workbook educating the young generation on the issue of marine debris. Meet Seymour. Seymour of the Sea Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Embed Video Link Copied Get ready, set and explore with Seymour! The ocean is an enormous and powerful body of water. It's hard to imagine that putting something small in it, like a plastic bottle or a drop of oil, could make any difference in its wellbeing or hurt the plants and animals that call it home. But, plastic pollution is now considered one of the largest environmental threats facing humans and animals globally. Did you know that every piece of plastic ever made still exists today? Meet and follow Seymour the Seahorse to "see more" of the sea! Boca Save our Beaches has released “Seymour’s First Journey into a Sea of Debris” – an interactive children’s workbook educating the young generation on the issue of marine debris and what we can do to help. The workbook, written by Boca Save our Beaches, is ideal for children ages 4-8. The colorful pages, illustrated by local marine artist Tom D’Auria , depict the story of a Seahorse named Seymour that embarks on a lesson about marine debris. Buy Now In Class Workshops Our in class workbook is an educational experience where students learn about marine debris and its impact underwater. Students follow Seymour and Mermaid Mystica to begin conversations on how our actions affect the environment. Our in class workshop is a useful instrument for those looking for educational material on ocean plastic and can be used in schools, groups and communities. Children's knowledge of plastic pollution increases by 50% after experiencing our interactive workbook in class. Interested in bringing Seymour into your classroom? Email us HERE Teachers Guide With our step by step, virtual interactive lesson plan, children will follow Seymour to "see more" of the sea and learn about debris! And, YOU can be their captain and scientific mermaid on this salty adventure! Our workbook will educate children (parents too!) and introduce them to the topic of marine debris, and what they can do to help. Engage children while teaching the process of how to recognize, investigate, and take action on environmental issues with our guidebook. We provide all of the tools you need - it's that simple! Plus you have the option to Skype with Mermaid Morgan ! Interested in bringing Seymour into your home? Email us HERE Purchase Seymour's First Journey into the Sea of Debris at Island Water Sports or Boca Surf and Sail To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. WPTV's Seymour of the Sea Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied

Boca Save our Beaches is dedicated to protecting the marine environment through community, collaboration, conservation and educational awareness. PRESERVE OUR COAST Boca Save our Beaches is a 501C3 nonprofit dedicated to protecting the marine environment through community collaboration, conservation and educational awareness. Contact us to host your team building beach cleanup or invite us into your classroom to see more of the sea and learn about debris! Book Now NATURAL AREA REHABILITATION MARINE CONSERVATION EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS Help restore our ecosystem by attending a public beach cleanup or contact us to host your own. Learn the importance of being ocean minded with our team building program. To prosper, we need healthy oceans, and in order to have healthy oceans, we must conserve physical and biological marine resources. Adopt changes in your behavior to help conserve our environment. Become more aware about single use plastic items while adventuring through the sea of debris with Seymour the Seahorse. Follow Seymour to begin conversations with children on how our actions affect the environment. Boca Save our Beaches: Community with a purpose. Get Involved

Getting outdoors and experiencing nature in Boca Raton leads to happier, healthier and more productive individuals. Albums. On Sunday, March 6th, Residents came together to challenge the decision of Boca Raton’s City Officials in retrospect to 2500 N. Ocean Blvd. being approved for building. Boca Save our Beaches gained an abundance of exposure from the community who joined us hand-in-hand to protect one of the last natural, oceanfront areas. A propeller plane flew around the site of 2500 N. Ocean trailing a banner that read, “TELL BOCA MAYOR NO HOUSES ON OUR BEACH SAND!” Volunteers set petition booths on both sides of A1A, urging bikers and runners to stop and take part in the demonstration. But most importantly we had a blast meeting our community neighbors.

Getting outdoors and experiencing nature in meaningful ways leads to happier, healthier and more productive individuals. ​ Team Building. Getting outdoors and experiencing nature in meaningful ways leads to happier, healthier and more productive individuals. Boca Save our Beaches welcomes partnerships with corporations looking for a fun filled day of team building. This volunteer program is customized based on individual needs and offers beach cleanups, community cleanups, neighborhood cleanups and natural area restorations for your team. We provide cleanup supplies and activities needed to furnish your group with hands on opportunities to engage in team building while giving back to the community. Don't be shy and say hi to book us for your next team building activity! Learn more. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. In addition to corporate team building cleanup programs, we offer class room team building activities too. Whether a school program, scout troop, or summer camp - we have you covered! Send us a message here to inquire about our team building children's program. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

On Saturday, April 15th, Boca Save our Beaches hosted a beach cleanup at South Beach Park in Boca Raton. Beach cleanup supplies were provided by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful and Gumbo Limbo. With over 100 participants, 372 pounds of trash was removed from our public beach. In celebration of Earth Day, residents of Palm Beach County participate in an annual beach cleanup, removing massive amounts of litter from our coast. The Great American Cleanup, a project of Keep America Beautiful, is coordinated County wide by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful Inc. and the Solid Waste Authority. On Saturday, April 15th, Boca Save our Beaches hosted a beach cleanup at South Beach Park in Boca Raton. Beach cleanup supplies were provided by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful and Gumbo Limbo. With over 100 participants, 372 pounds of trash were removed from our public beach. Together, as a community of like-minded citizens, we celebrated the removal of 372 pounds of litter at Beer Trade Co. in Boca Raton . Islamorada Beer Company sponsored this brunch by providing drinks for participants 21 and over.