THE National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) are encouraging service clubs, community-based organisations and companies to adopt a beach.

Both agencies made the call ahead of International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICCD), which will take place today. Both agencies have again partnered to clean up Hellshire Bay, St Catherine.

Anthony McKenzie, director of NEPA’S Environmental Management and Conservation Division, said the agencies will be targeting volunteers at its Hellshire Bay clean-up for the pilot phase of its ‘Adopt a Beach’ programme.

The initiative entails keeping a designated stretch of coastline clean all year round, but according to McKenzie, clean-ups do not address the root cause of marine litter, and so citizens should be educated about the effects of improper disposal inland, which can wreak havoc on the coastline.

“Regular clean-ups will not only make the beaches more aesthetically pleasing, but will serve to sensitise individuals about the negative impact of marine litter, and hopefully encourage persons to practise good disposal habits all year round,” said McKenzie.