On Saturday 12 September 2026, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), through the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project, took part in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2026 at the Mucurapo Foreshore, along Audrey Jeffers Highway in Port of Spain. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD), the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD-ICCT), the national coordinator for the International Coastal Cleanup in Trinidad and Tobago.

Recognised as the world's largest volunteer coastal cleanup and marine litter data-collection event, ICC 2026 brought together more than 230 volunteers from government ministries, schools, agencies, organisations and community groups across Trinidad. The strong turnout showed that protecting the marine environment is a shared responsibility that extends beyond any single person or organisation.

Together, volunteers removed approximately 1,800 kg of marine litter and other waste from the Mucurapo Foreshore. Around 544 kg of this was plastic and approximately 58 kg was glass, with the remainder, about 1,178 kg, made up of miscellaneous waste. These figures highlight the continued presence of plastic pollution and other persistent waste along Trinidad's coastline.

Beyond removing litter, the cleanup gave volunteers the chance to contribute valuable information on the types and quantities of waste found along the shore. This citizen science data helps build a clearer picture of marine litter in Trinidad and Tobago and supports strategies aimed at reducing pollution at its source.

Celebrating Our Cleanup Champions

To recognise the dedication and enthusiasm shown on the day, special awards were presented to volunteers who went above and beyond. Lisa Phillip received the Early Bird Award as the first to arrive, while Charles Balbo was named Last One Standing for cleaning right until the end. The Youngest Cleanup Champion was three-year-old Traji Lewis, and the Oldest Cleanup Champion was Irvin Hinkson, aged 80. Ricardo Lewis of the EMA was named Cleanup MVP for his outstanding overall contribution.

Other awards celebrated the creativity and energy of the volunteers. Bianca Beddoe received the Most Unusual Find award, and Abigail Agar of Guardian Life was named Marine Litter Detective for spotting hard-to-find litter. Nkosi of the QRC Scouts earned the Never Stops Cleaning Award, and his fellow scout Kiymana was named Most Enthusiastic Volunteer. Anthony Williams of Guardian Life was crowned Recycling Champion for collecting the most recyclable materials.

The ICC 2026 cleanup was a powerful reminder that every action counts. From the youngest volunteer to the most experienced, everyone played a part in keeping Trinidad and Tobago's coastline cleaner and raising awareness of the impacts of marine litter.

The IMA, through PROMAR, remains committed to supporting initiatives that encourage public participation, strengthen awareness and promote collective action to reduce marine litter and protect our shared marine environment.