SeaKeepers and Shorecombers: Partnering for a Clean Ocean

8 million metric tons of trash flows from our lands into the ocean each year, accounting for 80% of the trash in the ocean

20% comes from ships, 10% of this is fishing gear

Altogether 640,000 metric tons of fishing gear are abandoned into the ocean each year
Thank you International SeaKeepers for partnering with us to stop the flow of trash to the ocean by land and by sea with unique and powerful programs. SeaKeepers' support is critical for ending ocean pollution. As small community organizations around the world gather together to clean up their shorelines and waterways, and they need your collaboration to concentrate their efforts and increase their impact.

We can end ocean pollution by joining and celebrating the work of these beautiful volunteer organizations, because: (1) people who pick up trash are less likely to litter, (2) people who see people picking up trash are less likely to litter, and (3) given a chance to join in - enough people will do it to make a difference for future generations. Says BJ Smith Shorecombers founder, "A clean ocean can only be seen in the light of the local communities."

Here are two broad programs that can be crafted to meet your needs in much the same way as a super yacht can be special ordered to fit your unique lifestyle.

80% of the trash flows into the ocean from the land

"A Clean Ocean is in the Bag” Behavior Change Marketing and Fundraising Campaigns make it fun, easy and popular for everyone to pick up trash.

Many people are disgusted with the trash on the streets, in the rivers, and on the beaches. But without training they spend much of their time stepping over the trash or avoiding the places where it collects. Shorecombers know that we can change this “stepping over” behavior and make it cool to “bend over” and pick up trash in the mall parking lot, walking in the neighborhood or hanging out at the beach. Bending over to pick up trash really is the fun, easy and popular thing to do.

We know this because we see many millions of people around the globe picking up trash. People who love their neighborhood, enjoy creating order, are worried about wild life, want a better future for their children, and so many other reasons.

These turnkey behavior change marketing and fundraising programs are co-created with local community organizations. The local behavior change management campaigns are amplified at the global level with local input such as social media posts, reports on the amount and type of trash collected and number of volunteers involved.

More Info Here

20% of the trash comes from vessels at sea, 10% of that is Ghost Fishing Gear

Ghost Fishing Gear Retrieval Programs are hand crafted for SeaKeepers who want to use their experience and equipment to join highly skilled dive teams in making the sea safe again.

It is called ghost fishing gear because as it floats and tumbles through the ocean it continues to catch fish. Worldwide it impacts fish stocks, marine life and is a hazard to ships. Experts agree the problem is getting worse due to the increased scale of global fishing operations and the introduction of highly durable fishing gear made of long-lasting synthetic materials, some can persist in the oceans for up to 600 years. Almost invisible in the water many nets are resistant to biting and chewing by entangled animals preventing their escape.

But the good news is that even with a small team can bring in between 300 to 1,000 pounds of ghost net and gear in just one day of diving. In the photo above two California divers hold up their day’s catch of about 300 pounds of trawl net.

“This ghost net was buried in the sand and just kept going and going. Eventually we attached three lift bags. Sometimes you don’t know what’s going to happen once those lift bags start pulling to the surface” exclaims Heather Hamza, California Ghost Fishing Foundation.

Working together we can save marine life and sea birds by clearing the ocean of ghost fishing gear and other trash.

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All Shorecombers projects are designed to be “fun, easy and popular”. Keeping our trash out of the ocean works best when we are all being celebrated for the work that we do. Shorecombers can co-design and manage member programs that leverage the proven and effective work of experts while creating lasting changes within local communities and the ocean. It's our priority to maximize your efforts with programs that effectively engage your passion for the Ocean.