Conservation Ecologist Garry Auguiste reports on the clean-up of Fond Cole Beach, Dominica
- Garry Auguiste
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
On Saturday 12 April the CYEN (Caribbean Youth Environment Network) Dominica chapter collaborated with the Dominican Commonwealth Games Association to facilitate a beach clean-up at Fond Cole near Ma Boyd. We had a collective of 35 participants from primary school students to grown adults, and we collected over 200 lbs. of rubbish.
Fond Cole Beach is a black sand beach located just a short walk from Dominica’s capital, Roseau. Unfortunately, due to its proximity to an urban area, the beach has become heavily polluted and is often overlooked as a recreational space. The level of pollution has rendered it unsafe for public use, and over time, its condition has deteriorated.
In response, CYEN Dominica partnered with the local Commonwealth Games Association to organise a beach clean-up. We received generous support from Archipelago Wine & Spirits, Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), Jolly’s Pharmacy, Trois Pitons Water Ltd., Circular Seas, and Coca-Cola Caribbean System. These partners provided us with essential equipment, including gloves, rubbish bags, scales, T-shirts, and first aid kits, as well as refreshments and a shelter for shade.
The clean-up began early in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat. Volunteers were divided into small groups of four, each tasked with collecting specific types of waste, such as glass, metal, plastics, and biodegradables. Armed with gloves, grabbers, rubbish bags, and notepads, each team also appointed someone to document the types and quantities of waste collected.
At first glance, the beach didn’t appear heavily littered, as another clean-up group had been there just weeks prior. However, as we worked our way along the stretch, we collected over 200 pounds of rubbish. Plastic (34 lbs) was the most common item, especially in the form of bottles, caps, wrappers, and takeaway containers. Glass waste, mainly rum and beer bottles, was frequent and dangerous. We also came across a surprising amount of metal debris.
During the activity, we were approached by a local resident who expressed appreciation for our efforts, but only if the clean-up was done thoroughly. He explained that many groups come to clean, take a few pictures, and leave without addressing the deeper issues. He pointed to a large pile of half-burnt rubbish, an eyesore that had been ignored for months. Together, we dug through it, uncovering glass, shoes, plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and even used baby nappies. Hidden beneath the debris was a blocked water passage, completely choked with rubbish. We cleared it as best as we could, careful to avoid the centipedes that had made it their home.
One particularly shocking discovery was a rusted shopping trolley buried in the sand. We managed to remove it—relieved, as it could have caused serious injuries or even tetanus if someone had stumbled across it. Another unfortunate sight was a pile of bagged rubbish left by a previous clean-up crew. Residents shared that the group had collected the waste but never arranged for its removal. The bags had begun to degrade, with plastic contents slowly breaking down. For health and safety reasons, we re-bagged the rubbish but did not sort through it, as there was a risk of leptospirosis.
At the end of the activity, the Department of Solid Waste Management collected the rubbish we had sorted. While they generally do not process waste once it reaches the landfill, our pre-sorting helped streamline the effort. Their involvement was appreciated, but it also highlighted the larger issue: more must be done to improve waste management in Dominica if we are to achieve our goal of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation. Advocating for zero-waste policies, recycling initiatives, and responsible waste management is critical. Sustainable change starts with systemic support and consistent community involvement.
As a regional organisation, CYEN promotes environmental awareness and sustainable development throughout the Caribbean. Our initiatives have included educational campaigns, tree planting, climate change workshops, biodiversity conservation, youth conferences, and advocacy for environmental policy reform.The Caribbean is one of the regions most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change—facing rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, and the degradation of vital ecosystems like coral reefs. CYEN provides a platform for youth to take meaningful action towards a sustainable future. Through projects like the Fond Cole Beach clean-up, we continue to build resilience, inspire change, and empower communities.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Garry Auguiste is a conservation ecologist with a passion for protecting Dominica’s unique ecosystems. “I want to preserve Dominica’s biodiversity for generations to come” he says, “Globally, we're losing species at a fast rate due to human activities, we don't want to look back 10 years from now with regret, wishing we had done something about this crisis. We can help now by doing activities like beach cleanups, which reduce harm to marine life".
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN.
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign will prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign will combine education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership will bring together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities, including a plastic clean-up.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
