We joined DXDivers for their first Pompano Beach pier cleanup. We’ve participated in other such cleanups in the past, but it was the first time at the Pompano fishing pier.
Lots of community groups and local vendors set up booths along the road as 260 divers took to the water with support staff on the pier lowering buckets into the water.
Over time things fall off the pier, and litter accumulates. Fishers’ lines get caught and lead sinkers, lures, hooks, and fishing line get left behind on the surrounding sea floor.
We came equipped with our shears and mesh bags and collected many lead weights and at least two dozen hooks and lures as well as lots of monofilament line and even a fishing rod. I guess the fish won that battle!
It’s also a rare opportunity to dive under and around the fishing pier. Florida law prohibits diving within 500 ft of any pier. When they do the underwater pier cleanups it’s closed to fishing so it’s safe to dive and we get a rare look under there.
Amazing how over time the concrete pillars are filled with colorful corals and how much life there is below. We saw huge schools of jacks and patrolling barracuda.
There were also many angelfish, cowfish, filefish, a few triggerfish, and we even spotted some well-camouflaged scorpionfish and a yellow stingray.
Other interesting sightings included a large crab under a ledge, some arrow crabs and a brittle star.
We were happy to go and volunteer for the event. We also donated a DRYFOB waterproof car key container for the raffle.
This time we even won a PADI gift pack ourselves with a hat, dry bag, water bottle and beach mat. Nice!