The sixteenth annual island cleanup sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) and began years ago by ATA representative Castro Perez and marine biologist Byron Boekhoudt has become an island institution. Each year participation has grown to include schools, church groups, athletic associations as well as individuals concerned with the environment, both island residents and visitors, who like help keep Aruba clean.
This year, Castro was joined by colleague Francis Jacobs and EPI Intern Kimberly Giel in extending an invitation to all interested parties to sign up to help clean Aruba’s beaches and around piers and popular dive areas. The first Reef Care Project was aimed at cleaning up Aruba’s underwater environment, and teams of divers went out to collect bottles, fishing lines and other debris that had accumulated under the sea. Since then, the dive sites have provided less and less refuse each year, so the focus has shifted mostly to Aruba’s many beaches, which still collect quite some trash, and which allows large numbers of non-divers to participate in this effort.
During a press conference at the ATA offices yesterday afternoon, Castro expressed great satisfaction in the number of cleanup efforts now organized annually, which were originally inspired by the example of the ARCP. He also unveiled this year’s souvenir tee shirt, which will be awarded to all participants, and a gift of a care litterbag and a colorful certificate, which can be proudly displayed.
The cleanup will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, usually finishing around 1:00 p.m., or when the assigned area is done. Every beach on Aruba will be targeted, including the north coast facing the California Lighthouse. Teams will be sent out from there to Arashi, Boca Catalina, Malmok, Hadicurari, Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Surfside, Mangel Halto, Baby Beach, Pet Cemetery, Grape Field, Boca Grandi and the Bushiri Beach Resort area. John Oster of S.E. Aruba Fly ‘n Dive will organize divers and snorkelers to clean under the water.
Various sponsors have provided box lunches and refreshments, and a slew of prizes are raffled off at the end of the final day at ARCP headquarters in the Neptali Henriquez Park next to Havana Beach Club. Those wishing to participate can sign up with the ATA by calling +297 582 3777 or by e-mailing c.perez@aruba.com, fjacobs@aruba.com or stage.pr@aruba.com.
In closing, Castro urged all those who care to see a clean Aruba to join the two- day effort, and extended his thanks for those who annually sponsor the effort, including Monk NV, who donates the bins, Total Cleaning Services, who donate garbage bags, SERLIMAR and SETAR N.V., which provides communication equipment. Box lunches are being provided by Amsterdam Manor, Aruba Surfside Marina, Brickell Bay Resort, Casa del Mar Beach Club, La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club, Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino, Playa Linda Beach Resort, Talk of the Town Hotel, Occidental Grand Aruba Hotel, Burger King, The Mill Resort, and RIU Palace. Raffle prizes have been donated by Mulligan’s and Windows on Aruba restaurants, Atlantis Submarine, Tiara Air, Sea Breeze Restaurant in the Holiday Inn, El Gaucho Restaurant, S.E. Aruba Fly ‘n Dive, Butterfly Farm, Casa del Mar, TGI Friday’s, Holiday Inn, American Home Assurance, and SETAR N.V.
