In March 2021 the Eyesea platform was used for the first time in direct support of a coastal cleanup. Storms and high tides had washed fishing nets and large amounts of debris onto the Isle of Man coast, and the beta app was used to survey the shoreline and highlight where concentrations of rubbish had accumulated.
A record turnout on Douglas Beach
Guided by that survey, a joint event organised by Beach Buddies and PlasticBusters brought together 117 volunteers who collected 520 kilograms of trash from Douglas Beach. Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale described the turnout as a record for the group.
“We are often asked what we do with the Eyesea data we collect and how we will use it. This event is one answer to those questions,” said founder Graeme Somerville-Ryan. “We believe there is a major role for Eyesea in helping communities efficiently and effectively care for their coastal environment.”
Proof that mapping saves effort
Deploying the app ahead of the event helped save volunteer time and focus the effort where it mattered most, an approach that has shaped Eyesea programmes ever since.
Source
- Hellenic Shipping News, 24 March 2021. Reports the survey, the cleanup, and the results.
