PORT ANGELES — More than 1,000 volunteers removed 24 tons of trash from Washington beaches on Saturday in the annual Coastal Cleanup Day.
Volunteers staffed beaches on the West End of Clallam and Jefferson counties, including Rialto, Hobuck, First Beach, Second Beach, Ruby Beach, Sooes Beach, Point of the Arches, Duk Point, Sand Point and Kalaloch.
The volunteers braved blowing rain and sand and hauled away plastic water bottles, household trash, lost fishing gear and other debris that can kill or poison marine wildlife.
“This year’s event was incredibly successful,” said David Lindau, program coordinator for Washington CoastSavers, which puts on the Coastal Cleanup Day.
“That so many people came out here in spite of such harsh conditions and still managed to haul off over 24 tons of debris is absolutely astounding,” he said. “Each and every one of our volunteers is a hero.
“Countless marine organisms have been saved and our beaches are cleaner, healthier places for everyone.”
Last year’s Coastal Cleanup Day had 1,230 volunteers. They removed 60,000 pounds of trash from Washington beaches.
“The level of dedication these volunteers have showed today indicates that ocean health is becoming an increasingly important issue to more and more people,” Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Carol Bernthal said on Saturday.
“Everyone who volunteered today has made an important and visible difference in preserving our coastal ecosystem.”
Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin thanked CoastSavers for their partnership.
“We are very thankful for the efforts of each and every volunteer — this cleanup simply couldn’t happen without them, and for the Washington CoastSavers’ work to organize and energize this huge and extremely valuable event.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.