Clean Ocean Action to hold Beach Sweeps this weekend

Clean Ocean Action has been helping the Shore community of Union Beach get ready for summer with its beach sweeps for more than a decade, borough mayor Paul J. Smith, Jr. said on Thursday.

“They help us tremendously, and they come back in the fall too, but they do a tremendous job, a lot of volunteers,” Smith said.

Clean Ocean Action, a Highlands-based nonprofit organization, is asking local residents and organizations to participate in its 27th annual Spring Beach Sweeps, set to be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Union Beach along with more than 70 sites in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Essex and Middlesex counties. The sweeps take place rain or shine.

According to a news release from Clean Ocean Action, In 2011, 7,575 volunteers collected, tallied and removed over 452,698 pieces of debris from the state’s shoreline during the organization’s beach sweeps with plastics, representing 83 percent of the total waste found. Over the last 27 years, citizens have collected nearly 5 million items, according to the release.

“Beach Sweep has become a tradition for the tall and the small to give back to their ocean, take a stand against litter and rid the shores of marine debris. Over the years the list of items has changed and shifted, however what remains constant is the Jersey pride people have for the real Jersey Shore and their commitment to improve the environment,” Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action, said in a statement.

Clean Ocean Action is looking for volunteers of all ages for the April 21 beach sweeps. Groups of 10 or more are requested to pre-register at 732-872-0111 or http://www.cleanoceanaction.org, and volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, dress appropriately for the weather and wear sunscreen and closed-toed, hard-soled shoes, according to the release.

Monmouth County towns scheduled to participate in the upcoming clean-up include Aberdeen, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Belmar, Bradley beach, Brielle, Deal, Highlands, Keansburg, Keyport, Long Branch, Manasquan, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Ocean Grove, Sandy Hook, Sea Bright, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Tinton Falls and Union Beach.

Ocean County towns listed on the Clean Ocean Action website as participating in the Beach Sweeps include Bayhead, Beachwood, Brick, Lakewood, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Normandy Beach, Ocean Gate, Ortley Beach, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park.

Alex Biese: 732-643-4059; abiese@njpressmedia.com;