There’s been a lot of talk recently about the debris that washes up on our shores, but what about the debris that sits on the bottom of our beloved nearshore environments? This past week I had the pleasure of joining John El-Koury of Coastal Realty and Eric Billips of Islamorada Dive Center and a crew of dedicated volunteers as they headed offshore to free the reefs of debris. Over the course of 4 dives we collected 6 anchors, hundreds of feet of rope and the remnants of old fish traps (Probably Irma casualties). This was the fourth trip out to the reef for these guys and their collection is building fast. They’ve also found an old grill, 250 feet of anchor chain and even one of the buoys that used to mark the wreck of The Eagle. It’s not easy work, but man is it ever rewarding.
Bottom debris is destructive to our reefs and if left on the bottom will eventually strangle and transform them into something we’d all probably dislike very much. So next time you’re snorkeling or diving, keep an eye out for the stuff, try and pick it up if you can or mark it so you can tell someone else who’d better fit at recovering it. Also, mind your anchors and try to anchor only in the sand. Photos.IAN WILSON / Keys Weekly
Eric Billips and John El-Koury bring their haul back to the boat after a successful first dive. Most of the debris collected is abandoned anchors, rope and chain, fish & lobster traps and fishing line. All of this debris is harmful to the reef and cleaning it up prevents damage to the environment as well gets rid of the ugly of discarded trash that sits on the bottom.
– It’s a group effort that’s going to get these reefs clean. Eric Billips, John El-Koury and Scott Black patrol the reef in search of debris to pull off the bottom.
– A curious Remora swims around a cleanup diver as he pulls his treasure from the bottom.
John El-Koury and Scott Black attach a lift bag to a bundle of rope and anchor. The lift bag helps with heavier debris such as big anchors and chain and also allows for a more efficient clean up as it takes the debris to the surface where it will be picked up at the end of the dive.
– Derke Snodgrass passes up his haul to Capt. Nate, good to see this kind of stuff off the reef.
John El-Koury and Scott Black attach a lift bag to a bundle of rope and anchor. The lift bag helps with heavier debris such as big anchors and chain and also allows for a more efficient clean up as it takes the debris to the surface where it will be picked up at the end of the dive.
– A hawksbill turtle swims by diver Scott Black with an anchor that was recently cleaned up from the bottom. A good reminder as to why we’re cleaning up the reef in the first place.
Eric Billips and John El-Koury bring their haul back to the boat after a successful first dive. Most of the debris collected is abandoned anchors, rope and chain, fish & lobster traps and fishing line. All of this debris is harmful to the reef and cleaning it up prevents damage to the environment as well gets rid of the ugly of discarded trash that sits on the bottom.
Eric Billips and John El-Koury bring their haul back to the boat after a successful first dive. Most of the debris collected is abandoned anchors, rope and chain, fish & lobster traps and fishing line. All of this debris is harmful to the reef and cleaning it up prevents damage to the environment as well gets rid of the ugly of discarded trash that sits on the bottom.
– It’s not all anchors and rope, Eric Billips attaches another lift bag to the remnants of what looks like a bait trap. There’s a good chance this debris was brought to the reef by Hurricane Irma.
– Eric Billips, John El-Koury and Derke Snodgrass pose with their haul after a successful morning dive on the reef.
– Coastal Realty held a fish fry for those who helped out and invites those to come trade in their own cleaned debris in return for some fresh fish as thanks for helping the cause
– Some of the haul from the first couple dives this crew has recovered. It has since doubled.
