A beach cleanup and fundraiser for endangered ‘pawikan’
Over 170 volunteers united with Blackbough Swim, an international swimwear brand based in the Philippines, to remove a truckload of trash from the nesting beaches of endangered sea turtles in Bacnotan, La Union. The one-day coastal cleanup, coinciding with Earth Day celebrations, underscored Blackbough Swim’s dedication to ecological preservation.
Building on the success of its inaugural cleanup in 2023, which saw over 100 sacks of trash removed from Malinao Beach, Siargao, this year’s event marks Blackbough Swim’s continued commitment to marine conservation, a core tenet of the brand’s sustainability journey. According to a 2021 study reported by ScienceDaily, removing plastics from our beaches is vital, as microplastics endanger marine creatures.
The shores of Bacnotan, a sanctuary for the endangered pawikan (sea turtles), were the focal point of this initiative. Blackbough Swim joined forces with Curma (Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions), whose leadership in marine turtle conservation in the Philippines has been crucial for coastal forest restoration and waste management practices to protect this vital habitat.
Blackbough Swim didn’t just do a cleanup; it was a comprehensive day of environmental education and action. Volunteers did more than just clear trash—they learned, they contributed, they made a difference.
Volunteers removed over 50 sacks of trash and dangerous debris in an hour, including plastic waste, shoes, tires and barbed wire. By keeping this habitat clean for ocean wildlife, baby sea turtles can safely return to the ocean during the hatching season.
Blackbough Swim will donate 10 percent of net profits from the Earth Day 2024 Collection to Curma. Each sale of two bikini sets supports a day of care for 60 to 70 sea turtles in La Union, Philippines.
