Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco — With an ambitious goal of removing one ton or more of trash from the sea, the civil association Limpia Tu Mar is set to host the First International Trash Fishing Championship on October 20, 2024, in Puerto Vallarta. This unique event will bring together local and international participants, all dedicated to cleaning the waters of Banderas Bay.
Limpia Tu Mar, the organizing association, was established in the aftermath of tropical storm Narda in 2019. The storm had a significant impact on the beaches along the South Coast of Banderas Bay, leaving them littered with debris. A group of concerned Vallarta residents, eager to support the storm’s victims, banded together to deliver aid. Since these affected beaches were only accessible by sea, they ventured out by boat and were confronted with the vast amount of trash floating in the water.
“You wouldn’t believe the amount of trash that can be found in the sea,” said Victor Ramos Flores, a member of Limpia Tu Mar. “That experience sparked our initiative to not only clean the beaches but to also continuously go out to sea and remove the trash.”
Since then, Limpia Tu Mar has regularly organized trash fishing excursions, particularly during the rainy season when large amounts of debris are washed into the bay. Last year, they successfully collected half a ton of trash, and this year, they aim to double that amount.
“We’re expecting around 30 boats for the event, but we’re hoping for more,” said Rigoberto Pedrosa, president of Limpia Tu Mar. “Each boat can carry between four to six participants, and the more boats we have, the greater the impact we can make.”
The registration fee for the championship is $4,000 per team, with all funds raised going directly towards purchasing more equipment for trash fishing and financing future clean-up efforts in the bay. This event is not just a competition but a significant step towards preserving the natural beauty of Puerto Vallarta’s waters.
For those interested in participating, registration will be open from August 16 and will continue until the day of the event. The championship will launch from the iconic Los Muertos pier, a well-known landmark in Puerto Vallarta.
Limpia Tu Mar has also made it easy for interested parties to follow their efforts and receive updates on the event. The organization is active on social media, with their Facebook page accessible at OceanCleanUpPV and their Instagram handle at Limpiatumarpv.
The First International Trash Fishing Championship represents a community-driven effort to tackle marine pollution, a problem that has long plagued the region. By bringing together volunteers from across the globe, Limpia Tu Mar hopes to make a lasting impact on the health of Banderas Bay and set an example for other coastal communities facing similar challenges.
As October 20 approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a groundbreaking event in Puerto Vallarta’s ongoing environmental conservation efforts. Participants, organizers, and local residents alike are eager to see the results of this ambitious initiative and to continue working together towards a cleaner, healthier ocean.
