Florida Volunteers Remove 390K Pounds of Ocean Trash in 10 Years

For ten years, volunteers with Suncoast Aqua Ventures have been quietly transforming Florida's coastline one piece of trash at a time, and the results are anything but small.

The nonprofit celebrates its decade of impact on September 12, 2026, with its 10th Annual Reef & Beach Cleanup at Terra Ceia SeaBreeze Park. Since founders Troy Brown and Cheryl Huntsinger launched the organization in 2016, teams have removed nearly 390,000 pounds of fishing line, nets, plastics, tires, and other debris from Manatee and Sarasota County waters.

What started as a simple mission has grown into something bigger. The annual cleanup isn't just about picking up trash; it's become a community gathering that draws families, scuba divers, kayakers, and students working toward service hours.

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features a unique "Cash for Trash" competition. Unlike traditional beach cleanups confined to one spot, volunteers can collect debris anywhere in the two-county area and bring it back to be weighed and sorted.

Participants compete for prizes across categories including most trash collected, recyclables, metals, tires, and even unusual finds. Scuba divers get their own division for recovering anchors and removing underwater hazards like fishing nets and tackle.

The organization provides cleanup supplies, and volunteers can work on foot, by boat, or by paddleboard. Multiple trips to the weigh-in station are allowed throughout the day, with final entries accepted at 3 p.m.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends far beyond the impressive weight totals. Fishing line and nets can entangle marine life for years, while plastics break down into smaller pieces that work their way through entire ecosystems.

By removing debris before it travels into Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, these volunteers are protecting birds, sea turtles, dolphins, and the waters where families fish, swim, and boat. The cleanup has become a model for community-based environmental action, with Suncoast Aqua Ventures partnering with groups like Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Keep Manatee Beautiful, and Coastal Conservation Association.

The September event welcomes non-participants too, with food trucks, craft vendors, raffles, a bounce house, and children's activities planned. Free event t-shirts will be available while supplies last, and families can form teams together.

The organization is seeking additional sponsors, volunteers, and raffle donations. Those interested can contact them at 941-962-1488 or suncoastaquaventures@gmail.com.

After ten years and nearly 400,000 pounds of debris removed, these volunteers prove that small actions add up to waves of change.