850+ Pounds Removed: A Deeper Dive Into Our Underwater Cleanup at Pass-a-Grille

On the morning of April 11, 2026, a dedicated crew of divers and volunteers gathered at the St. Pete Yacht Club in Pass-a-Grille for an underwater cleanup and the results were nothing short of remarkable. A beautiful team collaboration from the teams at MAR, The Blue Urban Project, Lett’s Dive!!, and Suncoast Reef Rovers.

By the Numbers

850+ lbs
Estimated debris removed

14
Certified divers in the water

10+
Topside support volunteers

A Morning of Action at the St. Pete Yacht Club

Starting at 7:00 AM, our team assembled at 2301 Pass-a-Grille Way, St Pete Beach, a site where years of recreational and commercial boat traffic have left a quiet legacy of debris on the seafloor. Fourteen certified divers descended beneath the docks and into the surrounding waters while more than ten topside volunteers coordinated equipment, sorted recovered materials, and ensured everything ran safely and smoothly.

By 1:00 PM, the crew had surfaced with an estimated 850+ pounds of material; a mix of glass, metal, plastic, wood, and other debris, all hauled up from the bottom of Tampa Bay. It was a tiring morning in the best possible way.

What We Found: Breaking Down the Debris from Our Underwater Cleanup

One of the most important elements of our underwater cleanup program is data. Beyond removing harmful materials, we carefully record what we find, categorizing each item by type, quantity, and location. This information helps us track pollution trends over time, share meaningful results with our partners, and advocate for source-reduction solutions that stop debris before it ever hits the water.

Here’s how the haul broke down by material category:

Material Category	% of Total	Est. Weight
Plastic	36%	~306 lbs
Glass	21%	~179 lbs
Mixed	20%	~170 lbs
Metal	17%	~145 lbs
Wood	6%	~51 lbs

Plastic dominated at 36%, which aligns with broader research on marine debris composition in coastal Florida waterways. Glass came in second at 21%, followed closely by mixed materials at 20%. Metal items such as bottle caps, wire, and structural scraps made up 17%, while wood rounded out the haul at 6%. These numbers are fed directly into our ongoing database to inform future cleanups and pollution prevention advocacy.

Why Tampa Bay Needs Diver-Led Cleanups

Seagrass beds are the lifeblood of Tampa Bay. They provide habitat for manatees, sea turtles, and juvenile fish, and they play a major role in water filtration and carbon storage. When debris settles on or near seagrass, it smothers growth, introduces toxins, and entangles wildlife. Surface cleanups alone can’t reach it, that’s why diver-led efforts like ours are so critical.

Our Pass-a-Grille site sits in an area with active boat traffic and significant dock infrastructure, making it a magnet for debris accumulation. By cleaning regularly and tracking what we find, we build the evidence base needed to push for stronger local policies around waterway stewardship.

Thank You to Our Incredible Sponsors

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners:

Join Us On the Next Dive

Whether you’re a certified diver ready to go below the surface, or you’d like to help on land, there’s a place for you in our cleanup crew. Check our upcoming events page for the next event, and consider making a donation to help fund equipment, data collection, and future cleanups across Tampa Bay. Every pound removed is a step toward healthier water for our whole community.