Three entries from Donegal were among only 22 entries out of a whopping 700 that were shortlisted for the Ocean Hero Awards 2018. A huge congratulations must go to Donegal’s Ocean Heroes - Falcarragh Clean Coasts Group (Cósta Glan agus Glas An Fhálcarraigh) shortlisted for Group of the Year, Marine Harvest Ireland shortlisted for Business of the Year and Peter O’Donnell shortlisted for Individual of the Year.
Peter O’Donnell – Individual of the Year (Shortlisted)
Peter is the main person behind the Clean Coasts Group, ACI Arranmore Cultural Initiative, which was established in 2012. He has been carrying out beach cleans on Arranmore for many years taking part in national events such as Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week and the Big Beach Clean. Not only does he work tirelessly with volunteers on the island to carry out this work, he is also very involved in the management of the bins on the island, in bringing in new initiatives to rid the island of items such as tyres and paint cans, liaising with Donegal Co. Co. and other stakeholders such as Sharkey Waste for better management of litter on the island and is a driving force in getting everyone to get behind better practices with litter disposal and protecting the amazing environment in which they live.
Falcarragh Clean Coasts Group (Cósta Glan agus Glas An Fhálcarraigh) – Group of the Year (Shortlisted)
Cósta Glan agus Glas An Fhálcarraigh or Falcarragh Clean Coasts Group was setup in just 2016 and since then have gone from strength to strength in improving the coastal environment around Falcarragh. This group not only carries out beach cleans every month drastically reducing litter issues at Green Coast Awarded Drumnatinney beach and Ballyness beach, they have also inspired many other groups in the county to carry out beach cleans on a regular basis with their awareness raising through the likes of social media. Many visitors to the area are so impressed by how well the beaches are maintained that the group regularly receives positive remarks from them.
Marine Harvest Ireland – Business of the Year (Shortlisted)
Co-ordinated by Michelle Hay in their Rinmore office, Marine Harvest Ireland joined as a Clean Coasts Group in 2014. Since then they have carried out cleanup activities at their various sites around the country when there is a bit of space in their busy operations. This year they have supported the formation of the new Fanad Clean Coasts Group, a very important step in bringing the peninsula together to tackle coastal environmental issues, and held a nationwide cleanup event. This took place during Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week 2018 and cleanups happened in 9 different locations around the country, collecting a staggering 2,815 kg of litter. They also became one of the first businesses to get behind the Think Before You Flush campaign in Donegal.
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