Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is calling on the marine community, organizations, businesses, volunteers and students to come out on Saturday, December 6 and support the clean-up of the Simpson Bay Lagoon.
Minister Lake’s initiative appeal for a coastal clean-up of hurricane related debris in the lagoon due to the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo, was publicly stated early November and the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) took the lead in organizing the clean-up.
A meeting took place with the minister on November 10 with representatives from the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), Nature Foundation, St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, Maritime Affairs Authority, Ministry VROMI, to discuss the minister’s initiative and how to move forward from a logistical and planning perspective.
The clean-up and removal of hurricane related debris within the lagoon would include the marine sector, general public volunteers, other private sector companies as well as schools that have community service programs.
“I am encouraging everybody to get involved. Let’s clean-up our environment. I call on other businesses to join the clean-up effort of our lagoon by contacting the SMMTA,” Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Tuesday.
“It’s our environment, and our responsibility as well as the responsibility of stakeholders to take care of it and keep it clean. I do hope the lagoon clean-up will become an annual affair,” Minister Hon. Maurice Lake concluded.
Various marinas along with Simpson Bay Lagoon will be providing boats, work rafts, and equipment to assist with the clean-up.