Owen IslandGets Clean-up
Some of theparticipants on the sandy shore as they worked.
Owen Island - the uninhabitedkey off the south side of Little Cayman, received a clean-up complimentsthe Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) last weekend.
The 11-acre island in SouthHole Lagoon is a beautiful pristine spot for visitors and residentsalike to enjoy the surrounding azure blue waters. Due to its locationnear the reef the island does receive a significant amount ofgarbage and floating items that wash in from offshore.
The group, which comprised29 people including children, residents and visitors walked aroundthe island and through the foliage on the island to collect thegarbage. Thirty 50-gallon bags were collected from this smallarea. The CCMI threw in some fun objectives and games for theparticipants.
There was a contest forthe most unique item found which turned out to be a plasticlion, and also a contest for the greatest number of shoes to befound which turned out to be 41 shoes and partial pairs.
Part owners of the islandMervin and Penny Cumber asked the organization if they could coordinatethe event and sponsored a BBQ for all participants.
Commenting on the clean-up,CCMI Director, Dr. Carrie Manfrino said: "This is one ofmany community based projects that we hope to undertake as weprogress to realize our dream of a field station and ocean observatoryon Little Cayman. We feel that we have to give as much back tothis charming community as we can, and we will work to ensurethat it is properly cared for."
The Police, Department ofEnvironment and Department of Environmental Health assisted inthe effort.