In May, COA’s Tony Totah attended the annual International Coastal Cleanup Conference in Hawaii.  COA was chosen as one of only ten organizations from 88 countries and 49 US states and territories to be a special presenter and was selected based on our thorough use of data from 20 years of cleanups in New Jersey.  The data card that COA uses in the cleanups is one of the most comprehensive data cards used in the international effort, allowing for a complete evaluation of the trash collected.  By using the best debris classification methods available, as well as incorporating concerned citizens in beach cleanups, COA can increase awareness about the items polluting the ocean and beaches.  The data that is collected by volunteers is used as evidence to elected officials to enforce and enact laws to protect the ocean. 

     Mark your calendars for the next cleanup, set for October 22, 2005, at over 50 sites.  Click here for details and Sweeps locations.