Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  A long-running marine cleanup effort in Orange Beach is showing strong results again this year. The city's Waterways and Shoreline Enhancement Program (WSEP) has already collected 65,000 pounds of debris from local waterways and shorelines. The program covers more than 46 miles of beach, marsh, and coastal shoreline and remains one of the most active coastal cleanup operations along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The City of Orange Beach launched WSEP in 2014 as a pilot program to systematically identify and remove marine debris from coastal and intertidal environments. The program targets derelict docks and piers, abandoned fishing gear, marine debris mats, and other human-made materials that accumulate along the shoreline. Marine debris poses serious threats to coastal habitats, wildlife, navigation safety, and the overall health and appearance of the shoreline.

Funding for the program comes from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, commonly known as GOMESA. That federal funding supports full-time staff and the vessels used for cleanup operations. Without that support, the program's scale would not be possible.

Daily operations rely on a combination of vessel-based shoreline assessments, community reporting, and side-scan sonar surveys. Two sonar-equipped skiffs patrol the waterways five days a week. Larger debris and navigation hazards are handled by a work barge fitted with a knuckle-boom crane capable of lifting heavy material.

Trained dive teams also play a key role in the program. Divers periodically locate and rig underwater debris for removal, helping restore the seafloor and reduce hazards to wildlife and boat traffic. The combination of surface and underwater operations enables crews to address debris that would otherwise go undetected.

Since the program began, WSEP has removed more than 400,000 pounds of marine trash and debris from Orange Beach's waterways and shorelines. That figure reflects more than a decade of sustained, coordinated effort by Coastal Resources staff.

Alongside WSEP, the Leave Only Footprints initiative continues to have a major impact on Gulf beaches. That program has collected 242,320 pounds of debris from Orange Beach beaches so far this year. Together, the two programs represent a significant commitment by the city to protecting its coastal environment.

City officials expressed appreciation for the work underway in the field. "A sincere thank you goes out to all the Coastal Resources staff, who are the heartbeat of these programs," the city said in a statement. Their daily efforts keep Orange Beach's waterways and beaches cleaner for residents and visitors alike.