Clean Coasts host the Ocean Hero Awards Ceremony and Ocean Talks to celebrate and thank the groups, individuals, communities, and businesses who, throughout the year, who have done outstanding work to protect their local coastline and environment.
Each year, the Ocean Hero Awards honour the invaluable contribution Clean Coasts volunteers, groups and communities have made towards conserving our spectacular coastline.
The awards, originally called the ‘Clean Coasts Merit Awards’, were conceived in 2006, consisting then of only one category, ‘The Clean Coasts Group of the Year’.
This year, Clean Coasts has chosen 7 dedicated categories with a total of 28 groups, organisations and individuals shortlisted for the title of Ocean Hero within each category.
In County Wexford, Sean Ferguson has been nominated in the Individual of the Year category as well as in the new Campaigner of the Year category, winning the Campaigner of the Year title.
This category is an acknowledgement of the individuals and groups who have engaged with and helped spread awareness about the work of Clean Coasts and our key campaigns – Think Before you Flush and the #2minutebeachclean.
They are the voices championing the importance of reducing marine litter in their local areas and wider region.
Since 2015, Seán has been cleaning beaches along the Wexford coast every morning all year round and has become a huge #2minutebeachclean supporter, after he discovered Clean Coasts through social media.
He combines his beach cleaning with daily swims and walking his dog early before he starts work.
Sean uses social media to share images and videos of his daily beach cleans, not only showcasing what type of litter is impacting our ocean and environment, but also inspiring other people to take action by showing how easy it is to make a difference and how every single piece of litter removed from our coast is one less threat to our marine environment.
Moreover, Tomhaggard Clean Coasts group were nominated in the Beach Clean Award category for the clean-up events organised for the Big Beach Clean this year.
The first took place at the White Hole on Monday and focused on the area between Tacumshane Lake and the sea.
This area is stunningly beautiful and is an area of special protection as it is home to hundreds of wild birds.
Wildlife Ranger Tony Murray from Wexford Wildfowl Reserve also provided ATV assistance with this clean up.
The second took place on the Ballyteigue Burrow in Kilmore Quay and focused on the area at the bottom of Furlongs Road. Irish Coast Guard – Kilmore Quay assisted with this clean up.
