A volunteer shows a variety of items that were picked up during island cleanup efforts. (Courtesy photo)
A volunteer shows the variety of items that were picked up during island cleanup efforts. (Courtesy photo)

Because protecting the Channel Islands takes teamwork, 20 volunteers joined conservation organizations, local businesses, fishermen, and federal partner agencies on Sept. 21 to remove some 470 pounds of marine debris from Chinese Harbor on Santa Cruz Island and Driftwood Cove on Anacapa Island.

The collaborative cleanup included representatives from Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Island Packers, Santa Barbara Adventure Company, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program.

Volunteers spent the day clearing the remote shorelines of trash and fishing and boating gear.

Among the items collected were plastic bags and containers, balls, shoes, a weather balloon, pieces of Styrofoam, tangled ropes, Mylar balloons, and scrap metal.

Because the site is accessible only by water, volunteers used kayaks and a skiff to ferry debris from shore before loading it onto boats for transport to the mainland and proper disposal.

The event is part of a National Marine Sanctuary Foundation initiative focused on removing marine debris from eight marine sanctuaries across California, Washington, the Great Lakes, Massachusetts, and the Gulf of Mexico.

The project is supported by a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

Marine debris is an ongoing challenge for the Channel Islands. Debris originating from the mainland can be carried to the Channel Islands by ocean currents along with lost fishing gear and other ocean-based debris.

When this material reaches the islands, it can accumulate along remote shorelines and threaten wildlife and sensitive coastal habitats.

“These annual cleanups provide a valuable opportunity to bring our partners and volunteers together for a productive and meaningful day of service in a very special place,” said Molly Troup, Channelkeeper Science and Program manager.

“We hope that these events inspire community members to continue to elevate the plastic crisis and push for meaningful change,” she said.

Michaela Miller, senior conservation manager for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, highlighted the importance of the partnership behind the cleanup.

“Removing marine debris from the shorelines of Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is important to the local community, and this debris removal effort is the result of expert coordination and teamwork among multiple partner organizations,” Miller said.

“We are proud to steward these waters alongside our partners to remove marine debris from these beaches and fragile ecosystems.” Miller said.

Beyond the physical impact of removing debris from sensitive ecosystems, the cleanup demonstrates positive results that can be achieved through coordinated community action, organizers said.