The Montserrat Tourism Authority (MTA) proudly launched its first activity under its Community Environmental Stewardship Initiative (CESI) Phase 2, with a successful beach clean-up at Carr’s Bay on Feb. 23, bringing together volunteers in a unified effort to protect the island’s natural beauty.
Dozens of community members, volunteers, and environmental advocates joined forces to collect and categorize waste affecting Montserrat’s coastline, setting the stage for a data-driven approach to sustainability. This cleanup removed significant amounts of waste and provided valuable data to guide future waste reduction strategies on the island.
JOIN THE ABN WHATSAPP GROUP
FOLLOW THE ABN WHATSAPP CHANNEL
A key aspect of the initiative was the collaboration between the Montserrat Tourism Authority and Fish ‘N Fins Inc, a dedicated local non-profit, to gather and analyze waste data through the 5 Gyres TrashBlitz platform, a customizable app that empowers community science. This information will help identify litter trends, determine the most common pollutants, and shape sustainable solutions.
“This is more than just a cleanup—it’s a movement towards environmental responsibility,” said Veta Wade, CESI Coordinator for the Montserrat Tourism Authority and Founder of Fish ‘N Fins. “By collecting and analyzing data, we empower our community to make informed decisions about waste management and sustainability”, she added.
“TrashBlitz can be an extremely powerful tool to drive change regionally. Waste audits engage local communities, provide valuable data, and ultimately support science-based and localized solutions to reduce waste,” said Nick Kemble, Programs Associate at 5 Gyres Institute. “We’ve seen success in Belize with Sea of Life, and we look forward to expanding this program throughout the Caribbean, starting with Montserrat.”
The data collected at Carr’s Bay will contribute to regional environmental research through a partnership with 5 Gyres Institute and Sea of Life. Similar initiatives in Belize have already driven positive change, such as reducing single-use plastics in schools. Paulita Bennett-Martin, Executive Director of Sea of Life, noted, “Tracking waste through TrashBlitz allows us to turn cleanups into long-term solutions, helping communities take ownership of their environmental impact.”
The CESI program aims to use these findings to develop localized waste management strategies, advocate for sustainable alternatives, and engage residents in ongoing conservation and environmental stewardship efforts that go beyond cleanups and address waste at its root. As part of Montserrat’s commitment to eco-tourism, this initiative aligns with the broader vision of preserving the island’s pristine environment for both residents and visitors alike.
“This is just the beginning,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Montserrat Tourism Authority, Mrs. Rosetta West-Gerald. “Our goal is to strengthen Montserrat’s reputation as an environmentally conscious destination while ensuring our communities take an active role in sustainability. Through strategic partnerships, eco-friendly initiatives, and community-driven programs, we aim to preserve Montserrat’s natural beauty, promote responsible tourism, and create economic opportunities that benefit both residents and visitors,” she concluded.
“This partnership between the Montserrat Tourism Authority, Fish ‘N Fins, 5 Gyres, and Sea of Life highlights the power of collaboration in protecting the environment,” commented Product Development Officer, Mrs. Nicole Fagan, who is currently managing the programme.
JOIN THE ABN WHATSAPP GROUP
FOLLOW THE ABN WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Through community engagement, data-driven insights, and science-based solutions, Montserrat is making meaningful strides toward a cleaner, greener future. By uniting efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainability, Montserrat will strengthen its position as a leading eco-friendly travel destination.
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
Аre you a business owner? Antigua Breaking News оffеrs fullу сuѕtоmіzаblе аnd flехіblе dіgіtаl mаrkеtіng расkаgеѕ. Yоur соntеnt іѕ dеlіvеrеd іnѕtаntlу tо thоuѕаndѕ оf uѕеrѕ іn Antigua аnd аbrоаd.
———————————————————————
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE ABN WHATSAPP
Follow Antigua Breaking News on X, formerly Twitter @ABNAntigua and on Facebook. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-268-779-3189 or email us at antiguabreakingnews@gmail.com
The post Montserrat Tourism Authority cleans up beach under new initiative appeared first on Antigua Breaking News.
