The July 13, 2010 Clean Coast Index showed about 70% of Israel's beaches scoring clean or very clean, about 25% of the coasts scoring moderate and no coast scoring very dirty. The results attest to the major efforts made by local authorities to clean up beaches in their jurisdiction. Clearly the investment is paying off. An information and enforcement campaign, organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the Tel Aviv Municipality took place on the beaches of Tel Aviv on Saturday July 10th. Action taken included warning signs reminding beachgoers that the fine for coastal littering is 750 shekels, distribution of litter collection bags by coast watch volunteers, and enforcement activity by inspectors of the Green Police and the Marine and Coastal Environment Division , together with the inspectors from the Tel Aviv Municipality. The good news is that Tel Aviv's swarming beaches remained clean throughout the day. Routine cleanups by the municipality and the dispersion of sufficient garbage bins assured the continued cleanliness of the beaches throughout the day. Beachgoers showed high awareness of cleanliness maintenance and deposited their garbage in bins before leaving the beach. The few who didn't were quick to do so after being approached with a reminder by the inspectors. The combination of information, deterrence and clean beaches is definitely encouraging people to keep their coast clean. Meanwhile, Israel is gearing up for International Coastal Cleanup , organized by the Ocean Conservancy, and slated to take place on Saturday, September 25, 2010. This year's event is especially significant since it marks 25 years to the program. Israel's Clean Coast Program aims to bring at least 2,500 volunteers to 25 cleanup sites on and along the beach during the period spanning September 19, 2010 to September 29, 2010 to mark the event. The public is invited to take part in activities by choosing a site for cleanup or by organizing a group of volunteers. Proposals should be forwarded to the following email by July 21, 2010: hof@sviva.gov.il. Registration for events will be via "Ruach Tova" website, an organization formed to encourage volunteering which serves as a national coordination center for givers and receivers of help, aid and support and through the International Coastal Cleanup website about a month before the event.
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