The Local Scene: Ocean Beach gets a coastal cleanup post-Fourth of July

Volunteers removed 143 pounds of trash near the Ocean Beach Pier as part of the Surfrider Foundation San Diego chapter’s annual post-Fourth of July “Morning After Mess” cleanup July 5 while other beach-goers enjoyed the sun and lack of crowds.

Overall, 429 volunteers gathered at seven beaches in San Diego County, picking up more than 1,645 pounds of trash in three hours.

More than 730 pounds were collected at Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach, according to Surfrider.

Surfrider presented cleanups at the Ocean Beach and Oceanside piers, while partner organizations presented the other events: OB Dog Beach (San Diego River Park Foundation), Mission Beach Park (San Diego Coastkeeper), Fiesta Island (I Love a Clean San Diego), Crystal Pier (Paddle for Peace) and Moonlight Beach (Un Mar de Colores).

“Many of our volunteers remarked that the beaches seemed cleaner than in previous years, which is a great sign,” Alex Ferron, manager of the Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego chapter, said in a statement. “Despite that, we cannot lose sight of the fact that even one piece of trash on the beach is one piece too many.

“More than anything, we hope our beach cleanups inspire San Diegans to continue down the path of coastal stewardship [and] to continue lessening their reliance on single-use plastics.”

— Point Loma-OB Monthly staff