Beautiful 17th Annual Reef Sweep!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Ocean Watch Foundation and
thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news'
postings, they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Ocean Watch Foundation Presents Broward Beautiful 17th Annual Reef
Sweep and Beach Cleanup

17th Annual Reef Sweep and Beach Cleanup throughout Broward County,
June 11,2005. Volunteer beachwalkers and scuba divers needed to help
make Broward Beautiful by picking up trash and debris along our
beaches and in our nearshore coastal waters and c...

All Floridians and tourists reap rewards from the ocean views,
beaches, coral reefs, and recreational water sports. It is this ocean
that drives our local economy and is just one reason why we need to
preserve and protect it. Every day people go to the beach and ocean
for its beauty, but each day it gets more and more polluted by people.
The beautiful coral reefs off our Florida shores are especially in
danger.

Coral reefs are some of the most valuable places on earth, and they
are in crisis. As one of the most spectacular and ancient forms of
life in the world, coral reefs provide a home for over 4,000 species
of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other marine flora and
fauna.

Too often the beautiful, ecologically sensitive reefs off the south
Florida's east coast are the victim of careless boating and
recreational use, as well as, on-going pollution from litter being
left on the beach or being tossed overboard from a recreational
boater. These delicate reefs will benefit from the cleanup efforts of
the Broward Beautiful 17th Annual Reef Sweep and Beach Cleanup through
Ocean Watch Foundation. This year's cleanup will be on Saturday, June
11, 2005 from 9am-12pm at various locations throughout the Broward
County coastal cities from Deerfield Beach to Hollywood Beach.

Since its inception in 1989, the Reef Sweep has hauled in more than
24+ tons of harmful garbage, collected by more than 6,200 volunteers
who have participated in the cleanup effort over the years. Due to the
organization"s success and experience in getting the community
involved in coral reef preservation and beach cleanups, Ocean Watch
recently recognized by the United States Coral Reef Taskforce for
their outstanding efforts.

Already a South Florida tradition, local charter boats, private
boaters and beach walkers sweep our beaches and coral reefs clean from
harmful garbage and debris. Charter dive boats will go out from
various South Florida locations with volunteer divers on board,
searching for trash that endangers our delicate reefs. Shore divers
will also be able to participate in cleaning up the nershore waters
and under piers.

The beach cleanup is, also, a great family activity and gets children
involved in preservation of our coastal environment. Ocean Watch
President, Mary Antoine says, "We have seen many families come out in
the past, and it is truly a community involment marketing dream for
local businesses. What better place than the beach to get employees
and families to come out and participate in cleaning up our lcoal
beaches and ocean."

Some of the groups that participated in the past we American
Express, Gerdau Ameristeel, Carnival Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas
Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Line, G. Neil
Employees, Boys/Girl/Cub Scouts, Pompano Proud, GE Elfun Volunteers,
Bell South Pioneers, South Florida Divers, Inc., National Save The Sea
Turtle Foundation, Kayuba Dive Club, Wild Oats Supermarket, Whole
Foods Markets Employees, SeaWorld/Discovery Cove Dive Club, South
Florida Women Divers, Vone Research, Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center
staff, Undersea Adventures Dive Club, Rotary Club of Pompano Beach,
Original Save Our Beaches, S FL Spearfishing Club, Broward County
employees and The South Florida Reef Research Team and many many more.

This year"s title sponsor is Broward Beautiful. Broward Beautiful is
an advisory board apointed by the Broward County Commission dedicated
to beautification and litter control throughout Broward County. Formed
in 1993, Broward Beautiful is an official affiliate of Keep America
Beautiful. Broward Beautiful is dedicated to maintaining, protecting
and enhancing Broward County's beauty, ecology, and environmental
quality through partnerships with business, industry, governmental
agencies, civic groups, neighborhood associations and not-for-profit
organizations.

Other sponsors of this year's event a Broward County Environmental
Protection Dept, American Express Foundation, Pace Microsystems, Inc.,
Marine Industries Association of South Florida, PADI Project Aware
Foundation, Rotary Club of Pompano Beach, Publix Supermarkets
Charities, South Florida Water Management District, Whole Foods
Market, Wild Oats Supermarket, City of Hollywood, National Save the
Sea Turtle Foundation, and Royal Caribbean International, Frog and
Toad Pub, and Neil Watson"s Underseas Adventures.

Contact Information: Keith Fletcher, Director of Development, Ocean
Watch Foundation, email protected from spam bots, voicemail
954-467-1366, http://www.oceanwatch.org. P.O. Box 5494, Lighthouse
Point, FL 33074.

Ocean Watch Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit all-volunteer
organization founded in 1988 for the preservation and protection of
the coral reef ecosystems in southeast Florida through education,
marine conservation and ocean cleanups.