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Finally, I’m cleaning up one of my local beach in Galway again with a group of volunteers. This time, I’m joining an event organized by Luana Jungmann from Curi Ocean.

We meet at the entrance to the bridge leading to the Mutton Island. Right on Galway’s promenade. Six completely different people, united by their enthusiasm for the ocean and caring for the local marine environment. D. lives nearby and he is already on the beach with the bucket. He cleans this beach regularly. We have grabbers, bags, and protective gloves.

First, I try to balance on the rocks, then I sink calf-deep in brown seaweed. From beneath them, I pull out meters of rope and plastic, fishing nets. Some are buried so deep or crushed by the rocks that they’re impossible to move. Along the way, I find plastic yogurt containers, paper coffee cups, plastic candy bar wrappers, two large boards with nails, and a piece of fabric. My blue bag is really heavy.

I sit on a rock and listen to the roar of the Atlantic. The September sun illuminates the water and wet sand, reflecting the clouds. In the distance, the Mutton Island lighthouse gleams. On a special form, I check off the types of trash I find.

As we walk out onto the bridge after the cleanup, an elderly woman asks if she can join us next time. Some of the walkers congratulate us. And Luana offers us mint tea and apple pie. Then the head of a seal, which had been watching us the whole time, emerges from the sea to say “Hello”.

The wind ruffles our hair, the clouds gather for rain, but we feel amazing. Curi Ocean is a project that raises awareness of marine conservation among local residents. In addition to regular beach cleanups, they also organizes interesting workshops in schools and workshops open to the public.

Beach cleaning has been a regular ritual in my life for five years. Ever since I saw the Rubbish Open Wide Their Jaws opening its mouths, I’m ready to clean the coast even after my daily work. Each time, I learn something new about the marine biodiversity. This time, I saw a shark egg, also called a “mermaid’s purse”. It really does look like a tiny, square, leather purse. Although it can come in various shapes and colors. I have seen them before but I had no idea that this is shark egg.

I also realized that it’s worth wearing wellies or at least hiking boots to clean some beaches, because the layer of seaweed washed ashore can be really deep.

It starts to rain, I put on my blue jacket and cycling home happy, having done something very small but for our shared planet.

More posts about beach cleaning:

Clean-up beach – power, archeology & fun,

There Is Time For Clean-Up Beach and Birdwatch,

Rubbish open wide their jaws.