Biggest waterway event in South Carolina Sept. 17

Anglers, non-anglers alike will benefit from this event

It’s always fun to be a part of something that’s the biggest thing of its kind. What angler doesn’t want to be a part of the biggest fishing tournament, the biggest fishing show, or the biggest catch of their lifetime?

No matter what your favorite outdoor pursuit is, you’ve got the chance to be a part of South Carolina’s biggest event that will improve your time on the water or afield. It’s the 28th Annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep, and it’s taking place this month.

The SCDNR and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium will be hosting the event on Saturday, Sept. 17. It’s the largest single-day trash cleanup of the Palmetto State’s beaches, marshes, and waterways, and it takes place during the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

It doesn’t matter what age you are, or whether you want to participate with family, school, business, or a social group. You can put together your own team, and you can focus your cleanup efforts on any place you’d like throughout the state of South Carolina.

How much garbage do you envision when you hear the words “32 tons?” That’s how much litter was cleaned up from South Carolina last year during this same one-day event. In all, over 1200 tons of trash has been collected during the first 27 years of the event, and a good portion of that has been recycled. That’s a win for the environment, the waterways, the fish, and the anglers.

Don’t simply complain about that heap of rubbish along the banks of your favorite fishing hole. Take part in this event, clean it up, then enjoy your fishing time even more.

If you’d like to participate in the Coastal County Cleanups, contact Susan Ferris Hill at 843-953-2092. To help out inland, contact Bill Marshall at 803-734-9096. Remember, you can help out anywhere you want, but you need to let these folks know so they can keep count of how many participants are involved this year, and to help tally how much garbage is collected.