Video: Clean Reefs=Healthy Sea Life
Reef Monitoring Inc. will have it's first-ever reef clean-up on Saturday, September 25th from 8:00am to noon.  The clean-up is open to all boat owners and certified divers that are interested in volunteering their time.

The purpose of this first reef clean-up is to remove debris that can be potentially life-threatening to marine animals.  Items such as fishing line, plastic bags, six-pack holders and other plastics can be mistaken for food or cause severe entanglement.  Most of these plastic items will not decompose for hundreds of years and are an on-going threat to the marine animals that seek sanctuary in Pinellas County's artificial reef system.

According to Reef Monitoring's President, Dennis Kellenberger "plastics in the water pose a serious threat to all marine life.  Our 'Don't teach your trash to swim' campaign will hopefully educate boaters and minimize the amount of trash that ends up in the water."

Volunteers for the reef clean-up can pre-register at Mac's Scuba in Clearwater for a $10.00 fee.  Registration will cover administrative costs, lunch, an event T-shirt and a free tank of air.  Following the clean-up, debris collected will be weighed, then placed on display at Mac's Scuba to give people an idea of just how much trash ends up in the water.
A $50.00 event sponsorship will be recognized on the banner, t-shirt and website . All sponsorships need to be in by September 20th to be placed on the banner and shirt

Proceeds from the clean-up will benefit Reef Monitoring Inc. and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  For information on how to volunteer; or, to become a sponsor for the reef clean-up, please visit www.reefmonitoring.org or call (727) 798-3070.

Reef Monitoring, Inc. is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.