Litter doesn't stand a chance this Saturday as Clean Ocean Action prepares for their 27th annual Fall Beach Sweeps.

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Citizens and organizations are urged to participate in the event that's taking place at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore from Essex County all the way down to Cape May.

Clean Ocean Action gathers people twice a year - once in the Spring and once in the Fall to show their support for a clean ocean by volunteering at the sweeps. According to organizers, the event is much more than picking up trash. It's also about collecting data to help reduce sources of pollution.

Volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found. The information collected is analyzed and published into annual reports. These reports help identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment, and are helpful in local, national and international efforts to combat marine pollution.

"Litter is not only ugly, it can harm marine life through entanglement and ingestion," says Staff Scientist Heather Saffert. She says "the beach sweeps is a great way for people to give back to the ocean after a summer of fun and enjoyment. Thanks to volunteers and the data they collect, Clean Ocean Action works throughout the year to reduce the sources of marine debris."

Volunteers should bring & wear gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes. Click here for a complete list of sites.

COA's Beach Sweeps first started in 1985 at Sandy Hook with 75 volunteers. Since then, over 90,000 citizens, the small and the tall, removed over 4.5 million pieces of trash.

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