I.CARE wants to put hope in people’s hands. From May 2-5, Islamorada’s hometown coral restoration and ocean conservation superpower will host its second annual Trash Derby, a Keys-wide marine debris extravaganza.
It’s slated to be the biggest-ever cleanup event these islands have ever seen.
Last year’s inaugural event collected 12,759 pounds of trash; this year, the self-professed coral nerds are gunning to smash that record. Organizers are aiming to reach 20,000 to 40,000 pounds of debris picked up from Keys waterways and coastlines over the two-day cleanup. Participant numbers are more than double compared to last year’s derby, and organizers hope double the trash is gathered in year two.
“I don’t think any one entity has ever been so crazy as to pull something off like this,” said I.CARE co-founder Michael Goldberg. “It’s going to be a blast. Let’s go have some fun helping our ocean.”
Collecting as much trash as possible is the obvious goal. Participants can clean shorelines through land-based cleanups and the seas via Dives Against Debris. To participate in the former, folks can walk the shoreline, use paddleboards or kayaks, or join organizations hosting land cleanups.
For the latter, scuba divers can join participating dive shops throughout the Keys or take a private boat. Visit www.icaretrashderby.com/participate to register for any of the three cleanup categories. The winner in each category (land-based, dive shop and private boat) gets $1,000 and bragging rights.
Volunteers are still needed to help at debris drop-off locations for teams. Register online at www.icaretrashderby.com/volunteer to add your availability and to complete a mandatory online training.
So, what does trash removal have to do with coral restoration? Everything, it turns out.
Debris-free reefs offer a “clean slate” for citizen-scientist divers working with I.CARE to transplant corals onto,” said Amanda Hudon, I.CARE trash derby coordinator. Restoration practitioners cannot do the important work they do if our oceans are full of trash. Additionally, she added, marine debris like fishing line, derelict traps and plastics from shore can smash, break and abrade fragile corals and entangle or choke sea turtles, dolphins, whales and seabirds. Clean oceans allow for healthy oceans.
All debris collected by land or sea during the derby will be sorted, counted and reported into global marine debris databases that inform waste management policies.
And, in true Keys fashion, it all ends with a big party and festival at Islamorada’s Founders Park.
The event is generously supported by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation in support of Goal: Clean Seas and other local and international sponsors. All cleanups will be conducted under the applicable FKNMS and FWC permits.
Box out
Derby Schedule
- May 2: Team leader meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina
- May 3-4: Debris collection from sunrise to sunset from Key Largo to Key West
- May 5: Free festival featuring awards ceremony, raffles, food and music from noon to 6 p.m., Founders Park, Islamorada
