Puerto Vallarta made waves with its First International Trash Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 20, 2024, an event as thrilling as it was essential for the planet’s future. The tournament, organized by Limpia tu Mar Puerto Vallarta A.C., brought together dozens of local residents on a mission to rid Banderas Bay of harmful waste and raise awareness about the growing crisis of ocean pollution.
With alarming predictions that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans, the tournament took action against this threat. At 9:00 AM, 37 sponsored vessels and private boats launched from Los Muertos Pier, covering the stretch of Banderas Bay between Punta de Mita and Cabo Corrientes, aiming to collect at least one ton of solid waste.
Participants spent the day removing a staggering variety of trash—bottles, cans, plastic chairs, tires, PVC tubes, even large items like the remains of refrigerators and portable toilets. By the end of the event, 2.3 tons of waste had been hauled from the bay’s waters.
The collected trash was carefully separated by municipal authorities to ensure proper disposal and recycling. The tournament’s success was made possible by the enthusiastic participation of local businesses and tourism providers, who sponsored boats and provided prizes for the winning teams. The event also fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among participants, who celebrated their achievements with food, drinks, and live music on Los Muertos beach.
Victor “Yiyo” Ramos, a member of Limpia Tu Mar, thanked participants for their commitment and announced plans for future editions of the tournament, emphasizing the ongoing need to protect the bay and keep its waters free of pollution. This inaugural event showcased the power of community-driven action in preserving our oceans and serves as a reminder of the urgent need to combat plastic pollution before it overwhelms our seas.
