On Saturday, over 15 people of different ages gathered to clean up the St-Pierre beach on Chéticamp Island. The event came together from the collaboration of several groups, including the Cape Breton Environmental Association, the Council of Canadians, Community Matters, the Chéticamp Fire Department and more.

The main reason everyone was there – to show their love for the region’s natural beauty and community. “I love the beach. I walk the beach everyday,” said volunteer Frances Penny. “I think we should all be responsible for helping to keep our environment clean.”

Clive Doucet, who also volunteered, said it’s important for the local community to take care of our own landscape. “This is our beach first. Yes, we have tourists, visitors, but this is our beach rather than any other and you have to take responsibility for your own environment. I believe that very sincerely, so I will put my hands where my words are.”

The project doesn’t only serve to clean up the beach. Renee MacQuarrie, summer intern at the Cape Breton Environmental Association, said debris is studied to better understand marine pollution, which is harmful to wildlife. “We’re going to be looking to see what kind of different items we find," she said. "You know, what’s causing the biggest issues; where we think it’s coming from and different issues like that.”

In total, volunteers filled up 22 bags with objects that seem to reflect our area and our times. 

“The types of plastics that we find on the shoreline really varies between areas," said Dylan Yates, president of the Cape Breton Environmental Association. "In the CBRM for instance, we tend to find a lot of fishing-related debris. So, anything from ropes to buoys to whole lobster traps. Just a few weeks ago, we removed 140 lobster traps off a shoreline in New Victoria. …We do tend to find a lot of plastic bottles, single use items. You know, straws, cutlery, but we also find stuff like plastic bags. … We basically come across anything you can imagine on a shoreline. And we are starting to see an increase of medical masks and nylon gloves as well.”

On St-Pierre beach, volunteers picked up mostly single-use plastic items, fishing-related debris and microplastics.

Helped financially by the municipality of Inverness, the beach cleanup was a first in Chéticamp. Organizers said the event also helps to test the community’s interest before planning others.

Click here to watch CHNE’s bilingual report, available with French and English subtitles.