Time to get ready for 2013 International Coastal Cleanup

This is what a few hands can collect in a few minutes and big “niko niko” smiles.

All you need to join is at least two pairs of hands as we operate on a buddy system, and be ready for a hot weather,

You should also bring a bottle of water, gloves and/or back saving trash tongs and a Marine Debris Data Card.  The new cards for Okinawa will be released in September for downloading.

Can’t make it to the beach?  You can become a sponsor for our campaign or for the I ♥ Okinawa Campaign® 20th Anniversary Party, which will take place Oct. 26th at Coconut Moon Beach Bar in Onna Village, right next to the beach where our campaign was born.

The kickoff for the beach cleaning will take place from Cape Maeda on Sep. 22nd with beach cleanups, river cleanups, and under-water cleanups throughout all of the Ryukyu Islands expected.

The 22nd of every month is also Niko Niko Mensore-Welcome Day with cleanups planned prefecture wide.  “Niko” is the sound associated with “smile” in Japanese, normally said twice. On this day, and every 22nd of the month hence, let’s take action for the world in the 22nd century.

The Niko Niko Welcome = Mensore Day was created by Okinawa Prefecture and managed by the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCVB) in order to promote a clean Okinawa full of smiles as we welcome visitors to the Ryukyu Islands.

The ICC is organized by the Ocean Conservancy and has been promoted in Okinawa by the Okinawa International Clean Beach Club and NPO Okinawa O.C.E.A.N. as part of the annual I ♥ Okinawa Campaign® since 1993. As the Ryukyu Islands Cleanup coordinators we work in cooperation with the Japan Environmental Action Network (JEAN), World Oceans Day Japan, Japan Ocean Guards Association, and call out to the members of the Okinawa Clean Coast Network (OCCN). PADI Project A.W.A.R.E. is the underwater partner with cleanup dives planned worldwide.

Check with your local PADI center or instructor for cleanup dive information.

For nearly three decades, our International Coastal Cleanup® has mobilized millions of people in the world’s largest volunteer effort for the benefit of our oceans and waterways.

For local guidance and support contact: edo@okinawaocean.org

Local municipality protocols and location mapping are required after signup.

08:59 15 Oct , 2024