Funding Provided to Continue Beach Clean Up Program

Friends of Beaches, an initiative of the Marine Institute’s Ocean Net Program which engages communities in environmental stewardship, will continue this year with financial support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $8,500 to encourage participation in beach, shoreline, and underwater clean ups, as well as environmental awareness activities.

“Marine stewardship is a vital issue for coastal communities, and the Friends of Beaches initiative is a great way to get people involved,” said Minister Dalley. “The Provincial Government is pleased to provide $8,500 this year to support annual activities led by the Marine Institute’s Ocean Net program, and I look forward to seeing more people, and especially youth, involved in protecting marine environments across the province.”

The Friends of Beaches Network brings together as many as 1,000 community volunteers from across the province to conduct beach, shoreline, and underwater clean ups between June and October each year. In addition, participating communities also celebrate Ocean Net Day to build awareness of environmental issues. This year Ocean Net Day will take place on September 16. The Provincial Government has invested almost $60,000 in the Friends of Beaches initiative since 2010.

“Clean oceans are critical to our provincial economy, and fostering an ocean conservation ethic in our communities is essential to their sustainability,” said Carey Bonnell, Head of the Marine Institute’s School of Fisheries. “We appreciate the Provincial Government’s support, and look forward to expanding action and awareness.”

This project supports the Coastal and Ocean Management Strategy and Policy Framework that was launched by the Provincial Government to provide long-term strategic direction on the sustainable use of the province’s marine resources. In addition to the Friends of Beaches initiative, the Provincial Government supports engagement in marine stewardship by funding Students on Ice scholarships, the Dr. Wilfred Templeman Memorial Scholarship for graduate students, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Scholarship, and student placements at the Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research at the Marine Institute.

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2013 09 03             11:50 a.m.