MSC and Bimini Community Team Up for Cleaner and Greener Island

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BIMINI, BAHAMAS – It was all hands on deck in Bimini, as students, residents and community leaders rolled up their sleeves to give the island a cleaner look.

Volunteers found a little bit of everything as they fanned out across Bimini, cleaning not only the coastline, but parts of the community as well.

The effort brought together students, residents, government representatives and the MSC Foundation, all with one goal: keeping Bimini clean and protecting the environment around it.

Helping to lead that effort was MSC Foundation Marine Program Manager Emeline Bouchet.

Emeline Bouchet – Marine Program Manager, MSC

“ I believe that someone needs to start. Of course, you know, like it’s also to change the mentality, you know, because people, they think like, “Oh, this is not my trash. I, I do not care.” so it’s very important to make them understand that even though they are not the one littering, letting the trash [be] here is, is almost the same as littering.”

However, before going out collecting debris, volunteers sat in on an informational session where they got to learn from the MSC team about how they could be better stewards of their environment..

Meanwhile for the crew at MSC, that was their overarching goal.

Emeline Bouchet – Marine Program Manager, MSC

“ They need to understand why it’s important for the island to be clean. Not only because that looks ugly, but also for the environment, for the ocean…”

Also for MSC, Bimini isn’t just another island on the map.

With Ocean Cay just next door, Bouchet says the two communities share the same environment, making it important for them to work together – which is a partnership that’s getting a thumbs up from island Chief Councilor Triska Rolle.

Triska Rolle – Chief Councillor, Bimini

“ I’m very excited. I’m so happy and elated that MSC has partnered with us to just do World Cleanup Day, to be a part of that and just to clean up the island of Bimini…”

The day initially started as a beach cleanup as volunteers walked through the close-knit community and picked up any trash they found.

Among them were returning friends of the company – Mariah Hall and Ambriella Francis.

For them, coming out to support the cause was a no-brainer for them.

Ambriella francis – Bimini Resident

“We have to make sure to keep our environment clean for future generations like us.”

Mariah Hall – Bimini Resident

“ I understand that we don’t really like to be involved with our community, but I think it’s good that even if we don’t want to, if you see something, you should pick it up. And I’m not only speaking to y’all, I’m speaking of myself too.”