The Okaloosa Island Pier’s final cleanup dive for 2024 saw a record-breaking turnout, with 137 divers removing 106 pounds of debris from the surrounding waters on Sunday, August 4.
Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator for Destin-Fort Walton Beach, expressed enthusiasm about the event’s success. “That is the most divers we’ve ever had, which is really exciting,” Valek said. “I was hoping to break 100 divers so I was very happy with the 137 divers we had.”
The biannual cleanup, a collaborative effort between Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, the Okaloosa Island Pier, and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, has been growing in popularity. “The pier cleanups are definitely getting more and more popular every time we have them,” Valek noted.
- Divers collected typical debris such as fishing lures, lines, and rods, as well as bottles, cans, and food wrappers. Some unique finds included a giant flashlight and a baby doll head.
Valek emphasized the importance of these cleanups for marine life. “We’re removing all of that fishing line from the pilings, which is good for our wildlife and of course our sea turtles,” she explained. “It’s so easy for a sea turtle to get snagged up in something like that, especially if they already have line or any sort of debris trailing off of them.”
The event also provides a rare opportunity for divers. “It’s an exciting opportunity for divers in general, being able to dive the fishing pier because it is not a typical place where people are allowed to dive,” Valek said. “For these divers, getting to combine their passions into one event is really awesome.”
During the dive, participants observed various marine life, including tiger sharks, dolphins, stingrays, seahorses, tarpon and cobia. Valek noted that these sightings contribute to ongoing research projects. “We’re researching a lot of the animals that hang out around the pier, and it’s really cool to be able to see what kind of animals are utilizing it,” she said.
- The cleanup efforts continued to utilize the Zookeeper containers introduced earlier this year, which have proven more efficient for collecting and sorting debris compared to traditional mesh bags.
Eric Brown, General Manager for the Okaloosa Island Pier, echoed Valek’s sentiments. “These dives are essential for keeping a clean and safe environment for all the marine life around the pier,” Brown stated. He also thanked the various organizations involved, including the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and the Okaloosa County Coastal Resource team.
- The cleanup events continue to grow, attracting volunteers from across the area and as far away as Tennessee. As Valek put it, “It’s so great to have the community coming out and getting involved and helping keep our waters trash-free.”
The next cleanup dive is scheduled for April 2025, continuing the pier’s commitment to regular environmental maintenance and community engagement in marine conservation efforts.
