6 minute read
Community coastal stewardship in Antigua & Barbuda
On the twin-island state of Antigua & Barbuda, turquoise waters meet powdery white sands, creating an idyllic paradise for locals and travellers alike. However, like too many places around the world, if you look a little closer, you will see the coast and mangroves swamped with marine debris and litter, used diapers tossed and left to rot under sea grape trees, KFC takeaway boxes, broken Heineken beer bottles, ripped Coca Cola cans and single-use plastic water bottles discarded amongst the precious greenbelt nesting grounds of endangered sea turtles and migratory birds.
Marine debris, littering, and dumping, along with sand mining, deforestation and mangrove destruction, are a maelstrom of real and intense threats to the health of the coastal ecosystems in Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean. And while Antigua & Barbuda set a pioneering example in 2016 by becoming the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to ban single-use plastic, plastic pollution unfortunately knows no bounds, with no geographical border limiting its reach. With human wellness intrinsically woven together with ocean wellness, we are one; the threat to human health and survival is also at stake.
Believing that coastal stewardship offers humans a simple and easy opportunity to interrupt this pattern of destruction, halt the disconnect with nature, and end the use-and-abuse relationship with nature that is currently the mainstream way of being in our overconsumptive, throwaway society, Adoptacoastline is a much-needed initiative and at the forefront of community outreach and awareness about the issues our shorelines face today and in the future.
Becoming a steward of nature through the care and nourishment of our coastlines, ecosystems, and oceans not only benefits the environment but also enhances the collective health and prosperity of our community.
Combining community and coastal stewardship
Led by the not-for-profit organisation Adoptacoastline, efforts to preserve the coasts in Antigua & Barbuda encompass initiatives such as regular beach cleanups and the replanting of indigenous trees such as coconut palms, neem, and sea grape trees. Additionally, they make, install and manage beach bins crafted from discarded tyres that would otherwise be destined for landfill. This approach turns caring for the beach into a community occasion, cultivating inter-generational unity amongst the people of Antigua.
Youth stewards, local volunteers, island visitors, sports clubs, businesses, and government departments are coming together to take local positive grassroots oceanedge action to restore the coastlines to pristine condition. The before-and-after impact is noticeable to all, and everyone leaves uplifted and hopeful, taking this inspired positive ocean energy into the rest of their day and lives.
And this positive energy is contagious. It ripples out into the wider community, with increasing numbers of people asking to participate in creating a movement to preserve the coastlines across the island. Negative complaining is being transformed into hopeful action. Likewise, negative behaviour of dropping litter, dumping and destroying is being transformed into positive environmental action, advocacy and conservation.
Adoptacoastline intentionally seeks to bring all sectors of society together, including schools, sports groups, local and international businesses, government, marine industry, tourism, NGOs and civil society organisations to contribute towards the caretaking of the environment. Getting children and young people involved helps establish long-term habits and awareness in the community. Important financial support so far comes from The GEF Small Grants Program, The Sandals Foundation and Carlisle Bay Hotel.
From waste to wonder: creative upcycling
Environmental artist and founder of Adoptacoastline, Jennifer Meranto, understands that caring for the coast also includes reducing, repurposing and reusing precious resources. Jennifer began repurposing fishing nets cut away from sea turtles into bracelets, anklets and key chains, selling them to fund ongoing clean-ups and stewardship. She is turning driftwood, coconuts, broken pottery, sea glass, and coral into artworks that carry the story of the ocean and our connection to the sea with them. These inspired works of art, gifts, and circle economy products are beautifully displayed in the Adoptacoastline art gallery and workshop hub in English Harbour, which supports the ongoing movement in Antigua & Barbuda and across the Caribbean.
Becoming a steward of nature through the care and nourishment of our coastlines, ecosystems, and oceans not only benefits the environment but also enhances the collective health and prosperity of our community.
The ripple effects: educating future water keepers
Coastal stewardship is not only about the immediate results and transformation we can observe when litter is removed and removed again, but it is about nurturing future guardians of the environment, empowering the youth with hands-on, ocean-edge education, and instilling these values from an early age. In doing so, Adoptacoastline hopes to cultivate a generation of change-makers with a deep-rooted commitment to restoring and protecting the pristine coastlines of Antigua & Barbuda, thereby fostering a societal shift where living in and working in harmony with nature becomes the prevailing norm.
Adoptacoastline has partnered with youth stewards from schools, children’s homes, local NGOs, and the Five Islands Football Club, who look after Deep Bay and Hideaway Bay. The latter’s collaboration and connection with nature have even positively affected their match successes.
As we nurture the coastlines and listen to the ocean, we find serenity, peace, harmony and inspiration reaching into us. We discover the answers to our questions, the healing for our grief, and the solutions to our problems. The ocean heals, inspires and moves us forward, united in a new old dance of sustainable coexistence. From simple beach cleaning and stewardship comes the possibility of fulfilling the vision of unspoiled coastlines, ecosystems, abundant thriving wildlife and happy, healthy, thriving humans.
By Jennifer Meranto and Kat Byles
Facts about Adopt a Coastline:
Founded in 2009 by environmentalist artist Jennifer Meranto.
Was awarded the UN GEG Fund for a youth steward project in 2017, increasing its capacity and reach.
Launched its hub in English Harbour to sell its circle economy products and artwork in 2023.
Has cleaned 20 miles of beaches, mangroves and coastal ecosystems.
Has removed over 13,000 bags of trash and hundreds of truckloads of debris from the coastline.
Has replanted over 650 plantlings.
Has upcycled 140 tyres from dumpsites into sponsored beach bins.
Has trained 60+ youth stewards to care for and restore coastlines, and over 275 local and international volunteers have devoted their time and skills to the cause.
70-85% of marine litter in the Caribbean Sea comes from land - most of it plastics.
Only 1% of marine litter floats, the rest sinks to the sea floor.
By Jennifer Meranto and Kat Byles
Adoptacoastline.org info@adoptacoastline.org
