-Stephen Guertin
Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

MARINE DEBRIS
harms ANIMALS

Marine debris affects the life of many ocean animals through either ingestion or entanglements. Sea turtles, mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, often end up eating them and blocking their digestive system which can lead to their death. And trash such as fishing lines and ropes can wrap around the fins and limbs of fish, whales, crustaceans, seabirds and other animals, affecting their ability to eat, move and care for their young.

MARINE DEBRIS
also HARMS HUMANS

When our oceans are polluted, it affects our health in many ways as well. Direct toxicity from plastics comes from lead, cadmium, and mercury--toxins that are dangerous for humans but are unfortunately found in more and more fish in the oceans. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contained in some plastics, is a toxic carcinogen, and other toxins in plastics are directly linked to cancers, birth defects, immune system problems, and childhood developmental issues.

There's also the secondary effect of economic loss caused by marine debris. Unsightly beaches create problems for local tourism, massive debris can cause damage to vessels and when the marine life dwindles in places where fishing is a major economic player, it can affect the lives of families and entire communities.

MARINE DEBRIS TAKES A REALLY,
really LONG TIME TO GO AWAY

LUCKILY, pitching-in to HELP KEEP PORT ARANSAS' BEACHES SAFE & BEAUTIFUL is QUITE easY

Step 1

Pick up a yellow reusable trash bag at any of the following beachmarkers: E, I, 0, 1, 17, 19, 25, 34, 39, 42, 43, 59, 62, 99

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Step 2
Toss your newly collected trash into any of the available Port Aransas Trash Cans on the beach.

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Step 3

Document your good deed with a photo of you or your team and post it on Instagram to spread the word!

DR. MARILYN GOODWIN
Founder

Ever since she was 5 years old, Dr. Marilyn Goodwin and her family would pack up the car and make the long trip from East Texas down to the beaches of Port Aransas for some of her most memorable vacations. So when she and her husband recently built their dream home in Cinnamon Shore, she was able to reconnect with the ocean and her childhood memories once more. 

Being a near full-time resident now, Marilyn spends a lot of time walking the beaches and meeting people from all over. And as the tourist crowds come and go, she began noticing that some of the visitors were a little more respectful than others when it came to litter and environmental consciousness. So she started PIPA (Pitch-in Port Aransas) in an effort to ensure that Port A's beaches would remain a safe, fun and beautiful environment, not just for her family and friends, but also for the year-round residents that are lucky enough to call Port A home.

She's been happy to discover that nearly everyone she speaks with is more than happy to pitch-in and help keep the beaches clean. Parents love the idea of instilling global consciousness in their kids, homeowners like having clean beaches to take sunrise or sunset walks on, and even renters appreciate the idea that they can always return to an appealing beach vacation. It's a win-win situation for Port A's residents (humans and marine animals) as well as visitors, which is exactly as it should be.