SIV Backchat participates in beach clean

Small Islands Voice "Back Chat" members were among students participating in the annual Beach Clean Up, last Friday.

Coordinated internationally by the Ocean Conservancy, the activity of cleaning up beaches and waterways takes place on an international level. St. Kitts and Nevis is among at least 54 U.S. sites and territories and 74 participating countries. The event is coordinated locally by the Department of Environment and its partners.

This year, 16 members of the SIV "Back Chat," along with three chaperones and one member of the SIV national coordinating committee were among the persons who participated in the clean up along North and South Friar's Bay. Lonell Liburd, Back Chat member of the Verchild's High School explained what was done on that day and gave some advice to beach users.

He said that they found garbage that was left by both tourists and residents. He advised that if humans continue to dirty the environment the ecosystem can be disrupted.

Liburd went on to explain that each student placed the collected garbage in different categories which included shoreline and recreational activities, ocean/waterway activities, smoking related activities, dumping activities, medical/personal hygiene and debris items of local concern. The number of each item collected was recorded on data cards provided by the Ocean Conservancy, specifically designed for the International Coastal Cleanup.

Verona Sutton another Back Chat member mentioned the importance of clean beaches to tourism and spoke of her most interesting finds. She said that she found fish bait as well as a dead bird.

Sutton further stated that she felt a sense of accomplishment from cleaning the beaches since they will be more enjoyable for visitors and locals alike.

Krystal Chaderton of Verchild's High School explained the activities undertaken by the Back Chat group. She said that the group wants to make a difference in society by making a positive impact on young people in general.

Members of Back Chat have also undertaken the publication of a newsletter which highlights issues of interest to young people, relevant to environment and development.

The information collected from the beach clean up will provide accessible data that will alert to what degree various waste-related activities take place along our beaches. Locally, the information will provide statistics for students undertaking School Based Assessment (SBA) projects in related subject areas.

St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service, Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 27, 2004