Community Unites for World Oceans Day Cleanup in Tampa

Tampa Community Unites for World Oceans Day Cleanup

TAMPA, Fla. — In a spirited display of community commitment, residents of Tampa gathered on Sunday to celebrate World Oceans Day with a comprehensive cleanup effort at Seaplane Basin Park on Davis Islands. The event, organized by the Florida Aquarium, aimed to raise awareness about ocean conservation while actively removing debris from local waterways.

“We’ve involved the community and invited SCUBAnauts to join us,” said Karen Benson, the Coordinator of Dive Volunteers at the Florida Aquarium. “Our goal is to get out there and find all the trash we can.”

Volunteers, including divers, kayakers, and land-based participants, worked diligently to collect litter both on land and underwater. The collaborative effort highlighted the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and keeping Tampa’s waterways pristine.

Doug Phares, a dedicated volunteer diver with the Florida Aquarium, shared his experiences from previous cleanups. “We did the channel once and pulled out tons of beads,” he recalled. “In the past, we’ve even retrieved stoves and appliances that fell off boats. The best thing I’ve ever found was an electric bike.”

Phares described the challenges of diving in low visibility, explaining his technique for locating debris. “You get very close to the bottom and use your hands and eyes to look for objects that aren’t natural shapes,” he said. “If things are squares, angles, or straight lines—anything nature doesn’t make—you try to find it, pick it up, and keep moving.”

The event not only focused on cleanup but also aimed to inspire others to take action in their daily lives. Madison Wurthner, a diver with SCUBAnauts, emphasized the broader impact of such initiatives. “It’s something everybody should be interested in,” she said. “Whether it’s the economy, tourism, or just being outside, it affects everyone.”

Benson encouraged community members to adopt environmentally friendly habits. “Whenever you’re at the beaches or walking around in your communities, teach others why you’re picking up trash,” she advised. “We can all make a difference in keeping our planet blue longer.”

As the sun set over Tampa Bay, the collective efforts of volunteers served as a reminder that every small action contributes to a larger cause—protecting our oceans for future generations.