It’s been one of their major causes, but Clean Ocean Action’s annual spring beach sweeps throughout the Jersey Shore has been cancelled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. It was originally planned for Saturday, April 25. Instead, all eyes are looking ahead for a potential return with the fall beach sweeps on October 24.
Clean Ocean Action has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and our entire team remained optimistic that a modified form of the Beach Sweeps might be able to take place on April 25th. However, due to the extension of the federal lockdown through April 30, we will be cancelling the Spring Beach Sweeps this year to ensure public safety.
We know this is just as disappointing for you as it is for us. In 34 years, this is only the second time that the Beach Sweeps have been cancelled (the last time was due to a hurricane). In rain or shine, Beach Sweeps volunteers have showed their commitment to a clean ocean by getting feet on the beach and hands in the sand every April and October – all made possible by you. We remain optimistic that we will be able to do so again at the Fall Beach Sweeps on October 24th.
If you’re curious about the event, you can check out our photos from previous years below, along with our video above.
source: Clean Ocean Action via Facebook
