Surfrider Foundation Southern California’s “Clean Bay Challenge” on June 19, 2025, delivered outstanding results, as volunteers fanned out across Mission Bay’s shoreline—stretching from La Jolla to Pacific Beach—and removed a staggering 3.2 tons of debris in under six hours. The haul, collected across 15 distinct coastal sites, shattered the single-day record for the event and demonstrated the growing strength of San Diego’s community stewardship.
Over 1,500 participants, from families to local surf clubs, joined the effort, meticulously gathering and cataloging marine debris. Organizers estimate the cleanup netted some 17,500 plastic items, 4,300 discarded cigarette butts, and a troubling amount of abandoned fishing lines—long known to trap seabirds, marine turtles, and fish. In doing so, the group not only refreshed the appearance of the beaches but also delivered tangible conservation outcomes that benefit wildlife and coastal health. City Public Works Director Laura Martinez emphasized this double win: “This isn’t just about beautifying the coast—it safeguards marine life and promotes community pride.”
The Clean Bay Challenge builds on momentum created in recent years. In April, Surfrider and San Diego Coastkeeper released their 2024 Marine Debris Report, underscoring how over 11,500 volunteers removed nearly 11 tons of trash in 243 events, equating to 22,168 lb of debris—including 404,000 individual plastic fragments and cigarette butts—which together form the lion’s share of coastal pollution. The June event’s 3.2ton haul adds a dramatic chapter to that narrative, solidifying San Diego’s reputation as a leader in citizen-driven coastal cleanups.
Historic programs like Port of San Diego’s Operation Clean Sweep demonstrate the power of volunteer engagement around San Diego Bay; in 2023, almost 1,000 volunteers collected 10.5 tons of debris—including shopping carts and appliances—from the waterfront. Such initiatives show that sustained public involvement can produce measurable environmental impact and, over time, help restore key habitats that support endangered species like the California least tern and snowy plover.
Surfrider’s role extends beyond cleanup days. Its San Diego chapter hosts up to six public beach cleanups monthly—from Imperial Beach to Carlsbad—fostering both volunteerism and data-driven awareness. Volunteers not only collect debris but also sort and log every piece, providing critical data that informs policy campaigns and targeted advocacy efforts around single-use plastics and water quality.
Data-driven environmental action is key. Findings published by Coastkeeper noted that plastics, cigarette filters, Styrofoam, and fishing gear consistently dominate beach litter. Surveys show that volunteers who participate in cleanups are more likely to change personal habits—choosing reusable alternatives and properly disposing of waste—making cleanups a gateway to sustained behavior change.
In the wake of the Clean Bay Challenge, Surfrider Southern California and city officials are charting new plans: monthly minicleanups across Mission Bay and adjacent beaches—designed to sustain the momentum; school outreach and curriculum pilots, slated for fall, that aim to educate students about marine pollution through hands-on experiences; and expanded data reporting, contributing to annual debris reports and supporting advocacy for state- or city-level plastic reduction policies.
These initiatives align with Surfrider’s broader 2025 goals under its Climate Action Program, which includes coastal carbon-storing habitat restoration, dune projects, and legislative advocacy.
Beach cleanups offer immediate visual improvements, but their true legacy lies deeper. Environmental protection through removing items like microplastics, Styrofoam, and ghost fishing gear reduces ingestion and entanglement risks for wildlife. Public health improves through safer beaches with fewer hazards—like sharp debris and cigarette filters—benefiting both residents and visitors. Cleaner shorelines support San Diego’s multimillion-dollar coastal and surf tourism economy. Residents emerge from volunteering with a stronger sense of ownership over local ecosystems and a motivation to advocate for lasting change.
By collecting data, Surfrider and its partners translate local action into policy-level insights—fueling regulations like single-use plastic bans and wastewater monitoring. Their Blue Water Task Force program, for example, provides citizen-generated water-testing data that guides policy on beach closures and cross-border pollution.
The record-setting Clean Bay Challenge illustrates an evolving blueprint for coastal stewardship: large-scale events, ongoing cleanups, citizen science, youth outreach, and policy—together forming a holistic strategy to confront marine pollution.
As surging volunteer turnout meets rigorous data, San Diego is well-positioned to influence statewide and federal plastic reduction policy, promote science-based coastal restoration, and cultivate a new generation of environmental stewards.
The festival of eco-activism witnessed on June 19 confirms a community rise to the challenge—and a shared vision for cleaner, healthier beaches.