PITCH-IN CANADA
Shoreline Clean Up

BACKGROUND

PITCH-IN CANADA, a national non-profit organization, was founded in 1967 by half a dozen volunteers who regularly cleaned local beaches in Victoria, B.C. Their concern for the effects of debris on the marine environment led to what has become Canada's largest volunteer campaign to clean-up both land and marine environments.

Since 1976 PITCH-IN CANADA has worked internationally with national organizations in other countries under the umbrella of Clean World International to reduce marine debris. In partnership with Environment Canada's Marine Environment Division, PITCH-IN CANADA established and implemented a National Marine Debris Surveillance Program which involved volunteers at sites on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to gather scientifically valid statistical data which can be used to reduce marine debris at its various sources. This 5 Year Research Program was completed in 2001 and the data collected was presented to Environment Canada.

In 1995 PITCH-IN CANADA joined forces with The Center for Marine Conservation in the United States and, through the Center, volunteers in more than 81 countries to promote a joint, international, Coastal Clean Up Program.

We continue to promote the Canadian program, continue to identify volunteers or voluntary organizations who are prepared to participate and make available, via this web site, the materials needed to carry out a PITCH-IN Shoreline Clean Up/Marine Pollution Count. Most Canadians who participate in PITCH-IN CANADA Pollution Counts do so during PITCH-IN CANADA Week and they receive free garbage and recycling bags from us to carry out their project.

THE SOURCES OF MARINE DEBRIS

Marine debris can be very difficult to track. It's often difficult to determine who was responsible for allowing it to enter, our waterways. Once in the water, debris can be carried thousands of kilometres by winds and currents. Canadian debris winds up on beaches in Europe. Debris from Asiatic countries washes up on Canada's West Coast.

Marine debris can originate on land or at sea. Vessels, from small sailboats, fishing boats and large container ships to offshore rigs and drilling platforms can become part of the problem.

On land, marine debris can originate from individuals who litter beaches and waterways while "enjoying" our outdoors. Overflowing stormdrains and sewer systems are often major contributors adding sewage, street-runoff, medical wastes and other debris. In some areas the ocean is still perceived as a convenient dumpsite.

THE PURPOSES OF THE SHORELINE CLEAN UP/MARINE POLLUTION COUNT

Maintaining a clean marine environment is critical to the survival of all living things. More than two-thirds of Earth is covered with oceans. Our oceans provide food, transportation, pleasure, weather and jobs.

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind" applies to much of the debris disposed in our waterways and oceans. However, marine debris persists, choking waterways, fouling beaches, threatening human health and endangering marine life.

Your participation in a PITCH-IN CANADA Shoreline Clean Up/Marine Pollution Count will help ensure that marine debris is not out of sight or out of mind. By picking up and classifying the debris which you collect during your clean up you provide PITCH-IN CANADA and others worldwide with the "ammunition" to make sure that efforts continue to stop marine debris at its sources.

Your "ammunition" also provides your organization with the opportunity to alert your local media and decision makers to the problems of marine debris in your area. Hopefully this will result, where possible, in action to stop debris from entering the marine environment at its sources.

WHEN DO Shoreline CLEAN UPS/MARINE POLLUTION COUNTS TAKE PLACE?

Officially, the International Coastal Clean Up takes place during September. However, in many parts of the world, Shoreline Clean-Ups are undertaken in the Spring when it is easier to recruit volunteers. For that reason, PITCH-IN CANADA has incorporated the Shoreline Clean-Up as a recommended project to be undertaken during national PITCH-IN CANADA Week held each April.