Earlier this month, Misting Monsoon Diving, LLC founder Jarrett Maryon and a group of divers participated in a post-Fourth of July cleanup on and around Treasure Island. In collaboration with the Treasure Island Adopt-A-Beach organization, they removed approximately 300 to 400 pounds of trash from the water.
The St. Petersburg-based company provides services such as in-water hull cleaning and underwater video inspections. However, Maryon and his team are equally passionate about giving back to the community.
The organization announced this week that it will offer free underwater debris removal for community beach cleanups throughout Pinellas County. This effort is part of a partnership with the PADI AWARE Foundation.
Founded in 1966, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) provides dive training, underwater safety education and conservation programs. According to the PADI AWARE Foundation’s LinkedIn page, the entity is a “global charity with a mission to drive local action for global ocean conservation.” The organization focuses on threats such as habitat destruction and vulnerable species loss.
“I wanted to do more than just clean boat bottoms,” Maryon said. “When I’m in the water, I see debris, fishing line, plastic bags and all sorts of other stuff. It’s not only an eyesore, but it impacts the local waterways and all of the marine life in the water.”
Maryon is a PADI certified diver. He is currently a Project AWARE (PADI AWARE) instructor, which means that he can teach new divers about ocean conservation.
Patrick “PT” Collins, Misting Monsoon Diving chief operating officer, believes that the collaboration is an “opportunity to bring more awareness to the problem.” He added that the team wants to build “something that is more of a routine” and participate in events of all sizes.
“During the last cleanup, a lot of the trash was plastic,” Collins said. “That’s a big deal because the fish eat it, and right now we’re in sea turtle nesting season.”
He explained that Misting Monsoon Diving is interested in working with beach communities and government leaders on the effort. The next cleanup event will take place after Treasure Island’s Labor Day festivities in September.
Misting Monsoon Diving also contributes “ongoing citizen science data through PADI AWARE’s Dive Against Debris program,” according to a prepared statement. Maryon and his team provide “real-time reporting on underwater conditions, debris tracking and local marine health.”
The main goal of the partnership with the PADI AWARE Foundation is to educate others and inspire them to create positive change.
“When people are aware, they tend to consider more,” Collins explained. “One little tiny spark helps remind you not to throw stuff off a boat or, if you see trash, to pick it up.”
Maryon added that small actions can make a huge difference. For example, individuals should keep plastic items secured in a cooler and avoid bringing cardboard boxes to the beach. Additionally, it’s important to collect any cigarette butts or fishing line and dispose of them properly before leaving.
Currently, the Misting Monsoon Diving team is developing the Florida Divers Conservation Coalition.
“It connects divers like us with conservation groups around the state of Florida,” Collins said. “I think we have about 80 different groups identified right now. This gives divers an opportunity to connect with groups in their area that they feel they can make an impact with.”
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