After many consecutive Sunday beach cleanups and Dive Against Debris surveys, Hin Wong beach and local dive sites in Koh Tao, Thailand are looking better than ever!  The once trash-littered bay front has been restored to its natural beauty thanks to dedicated Project AWARE supporter and dive leader, Nicky Russell.

Nicky lives in Thailand, leading dive trips for tourists and the local community at the Easy Divers Koh Tao Dive Center.  While tourists are known to frequent Hin Wong Bay for its pristine beachfront, most remain unaware of the extent to which the locale is prone to disturbance by marine litter.  Each year, the shifting winds and tides wash in loads of marine debris, collecting on the small beach at Hin Wong and littering the bay scenery.

In December of 2014, a group of seven of Nicky’s close friends gathered and spent the morning and afternoon picking trash out of the sand and sorting into recyclables.  Over 1900 pounds (approximately 900 kilograms) of trash, including staggering amounts of plastic and Styrofoam, were collected.  The group noted items such as bottle caps, straws, plastic bags, cigarette butts, glass, rubber, and fishing gear amongst the debris.  Even with a full day’s trash removal efforts, there was still work to be done.

Throughout the process, community spirits remained high.  Cleanup efforts continued into the new year, and the volunteer group grew each week as more trash was collected.  Tourists, as well as locals, volunteered their time and energy in support.  Now, in mid-March, Hin Wong Bay is clean and clear of debris thanks to Nicky’s efforts to rally the community. 

While debris removal efforts address the problem, Nicky advocates for individuals to take steps to prevent marine pollution in the first place.  Her advice?  Become a conscious consumer.  Think twice before using a straw, accepting Styrofoam food containers, or taking purchased goods home in single-use plastic bags.

Whether implementing small changes into a daily routine, or taking action within the local community, individuals like Nicky – and you! – can help make a big difference for the health of our ocean.