Cape Cove Beach Marine Debris Survey

Volunteers participate in a marine debris survey at Cape Cove Beach /photo by Tara Dubois

The Cape Perpetua Collaborative is hosting a beach cleanup and marine debris survey on Monday, Sept. 12, at 8 a.m. This event will take place on Cape Cove Beach, to participate, meet at the Cove Beach Trail entrance on Hwy 101 (about three miles south of Yachats and the second pullout on the west side of the highway north of the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, 1257 Oregon Coast Hwy) and is free and open to all. No experience is required.

About the location and survey:

“We will survey 100 yards of Cape Cove Beach. This region includes flat sandy beaches, wood debris, cobble rocks and lava rock. Most of the debris we find is located in the rocky and woody areas. After the survey, we will collect our finds, sort and document. The plastic items are kept for re-use in various projects (note: due to COVID, the coordinator will bring the items collected home and document/count the debris and update participants via email).”

This effort supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP), a project many CoastWatchers regularly participate in coastwide. The data collected through this project helps evaluate the impacts of marine debris along coastlines and inform future marine debris mitigation and prevention efforts on a local, regional, and national scale.

Bringing your own materials such as buckets or gloves is encouraged, or you may use the provided bags and gloves. No reservation is required.

To learn more about the event, go here.