​International Coastal Cleanup with Acualina

In September 2017 COI crew were honored to host Angela Corvea, our friend and founder of Acualina from Havana Cuba, to our home and office in Santa Cruz. Angela joined Professor David Schwartz and COI founder Captain Jim Holm at Cabrillo College to address students from the Oceanography class and invited guests from other local schools. The general theme of the talks was the international cooperation enjoyed by COI on our yearly expeditions to assess shoreline debris in a variety of locations and situations. Angela was thrilled to meet the students and instructors that have come to define the teamwork and comradery that describe COI. Angela was well received at Annieglass studios in Watsonville at a small fundraiser hosted by Annie Morehouser herself and Edible Monterey. The following Saturday, sept 16, Angela joined some COI volunteers to clean debris from Moran Lake Beach and the rip-rap along the cliff to Santa Maria Beach for our involvement with International Coastal Cleanup Day. A truckload of debris was diverted from entering the ocean with a smiling and inspired group, and that is really what we are here for. Angela has stayed in close contact since her trip and has described it as one of the highlights of her long history of working for marine awareness and ocean health. She is quick to praise the international affairs coordinator, Claudia Rocha, for her incredible effort and warm hospitality.