Earlier this month, Misting Monsoon Diving, LLC founder Jarrett Maryon and a group of divers participated in a post-Fourth of July cleanup on and around Treasure Island. In collaboration with the Treasure Island Adopt-A-Beach organization, they removed approximately 300 to 400 pounds of trash from the water.<\/p>\n
The St. Petersburg-based company provides services such as in-water hull cleaning and underwater video inspections. However, Maryon and his team are equally passionate about giving back to the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The organization announced this week that it will offer free underwater debris removal for community beach cleanups throughout Pinellas County. This effort is part of a partnership with the PADI AWARE Foundation. \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Founded in 1966, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors <\/a>(PADI) provides dive training, underwater safety education and conservation programs. According to the PADI AWARE Foundation\u2019s LinkedIn page, the entity is a \u201cglobal charity with a mission to drive local action for global ocean conservation.\u201d\u00a0The organization focuses on threats such as habitat destruction and vulnerable species loss. <\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to do more than just clean boat bottoms,\u201d Maryon said. \u201cWhen I\u2019m in the water, I see debris, fishing line, plastic bags and all sorts of other stuff. It\u2019s not only an eyesore, but it impacts the local waterways and all of the marine life in the water.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Maryon is a PADI certified diver. He is currently a Project AWARE (PADI AWARE) instructor, which means that he can teach new divers about ocean conservation.<\/p>\n Patrick \u201cPT\u201d Collins, Misting Monsoon Diving chief operating officer,\u00a0believes that the collaboration is an \u201copportunity to bring more awareness to the problem.\u201d He added that the team wants to build \u201csomething that is more of a routine\u201d and participate in events of all sizes.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring the last cleanup, a lot of the trash was plastic,\u201d Collins said. \u201cThat\u2019s a big deal because the fish eat it, and right now we\u2019re in sea turtle nesting season.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He explained that Misting Monsoon Diving is interested in working with beach communities and government leaders on the effort. The next cleanup event will take place after Treasure Island\u2019s Labor Day festivities in September. \u00a0<\/p>\n Misting Monsoon Diving also contributes \u201congoing citizen science data through PADI AWARE\u2019s Dive Against Debris program,\u201d according to a prepared statement. Maryon and his team provide \u201creal-time reporting on underwater conditions, debris tracking and local marine health.\u201d<\/p>\n The main goal of the partnership with the PADI AWARE Foundation is to educate others and inspire them to create positive change.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people are aware, they tend to consider more,\u201d Collins explained. \u201cOne little tiny spark helps remind you not to throw stuff off a boat or, if you see trash, to pick it up.\u201d<\/p>\n Maryon added that small actions can make a huge difference. For example, individuals should keep plastic items secured in a cooler and avoid bringing cardboard boxes to the beach. Additionally, it\u2019s important to collect any cigarette butts or fishing line and dispose of them properly before leaving.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, the Misting Monsoon Diving team is developing the Florida Divers Conservation Coalition.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt connects divers like us with conservation groups around the state of Florida,\u201d Collins said. \u201cI think we have about 80 different groups identified right now. This gives divers an opportunity to connect with groups in their area that they feel they can make an impact with.\u201d<\/p>\n