Petty Harbour Clean Currents Initiative
Petty Harbour was chosen for its rich fishing heritage and strong community ties, making it an ideal location for a project that relies on local collaboration and can serve as a model for other coastal regions.
What are we doing there?
The Clean Currents Initiative is a community-driven initiative focused on addressing the issue of marine debris in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland. The project, running from 2024-2026, aims to reduce marine debris, improve community awareness and foster sustainable waste management practices. Project success will depend on collaboration between local fishers; both commercial and recreational, project stakeholders, environmental organizations and local community members.
Key goals include:
- Reducing Marine Debris: Through cleanups and community efforts, the project aims to significantly decrease debris in the region.
- Increasing Awareness and Engagement: Educational programs, town halls, and outreach activities will inform residents about the impacts of marine debris and encourage participation in maintaining a clean environment.
- Improving Waste Management: By collaborating with fishers and local authorities, better waste disposal and recycling practices will be promoted to prevent debris.
- Comprehensive Data Collection: Detailed data on debris types and sources will be collected and stored in a centralized database for future research and policy use.
- Developing a Sustainable Plan: A tailored plan will be created with community input for ongoing debris prevention and management.
This initiative aims to strengthen local partnerships and serve as a model for other coastal communities looking to protect their marine environments.
What is Marine Debris?
Marine debris refers to any persistent, man-made waste that ends up in the marine environment. This can include plastics, fishing gear, glass, metal, and other types of trash that have been improperly disposed of or lost. Marine debris can originate from both land-based sources (such as littering and improper waste management) and ocean-based sources (like fishing vessels and ships). It poses serious threats to marine wildlife, ecosystems, human health, and coastal economies by causing entanglement, ingestion by animals, habitat damage, and pollution.
Why is it a problem?
Marine debris damages habitat, kills wildlife through entanglements, ingestion, injuries, and ghost fishing. It also deters tourists, threatens human health, and is a hazard for navigation and fishing gear. To secure our marine resources, we must ensure the health of its ecosystems.
How can you help?
Fill out our survey! This survey is designed to collect baseline information on marine debris in Petty Harbour. Your input plays an essential role in shaping our understanding and future initiatives.