NARC Most Admired Voluntary Organisation in Wales'

 

Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC) have had a highly successful diving year, with media coverage raising the profile of the problem of marine litter.

In 2009, following a nomination from sponsors Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA), they were awarded the title of ‘Most Admired Voluntary Organisation in Wales' at the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action Awards. Following this accolade, NARC began to attract media attention.

2010's diving year commenced with Wales Today and Newyddion covering a dive clean at Manorbier. As the divers progressed through their diving calendar, NARC's profile was further increased with a piece for the Breakfast and lunchtime BBC News, Newsround and radio stations from around the UK highlighting the issues of lost fishing tackle in the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. This litter can be a hazard to divers and other water users, as well as wildlife. On all of their cleans, once retrieved the various items are cleaned by the land based NARC volunteers, sorted, recorded and recycled where possible.

On Sunday 3rd October, the group's Hobbs Point dive was filmed by BBC Wales' consumer affairs programme X-Ray. X-Ray reporter Rachel Treadaway-Williams spent time with the group examining the problems of fly tipping and the damage it causes to marine life. The programme is due to be aired on Monday 11th October at 19.30 on BBC 1 Wales and will be shown on the BBC iPlayer until Monday 18th October.

MHPA sponsored NARC's 2010 dive cleans through their Community Investment Fund, part of their ongoing Community programme.

Commenting on behalf of NARC, Dave Jones said of the 2010's success:

‘Without support from organisations like Milford Haven Port Authority, we would not be able to carry out our underwater clean-up dives. As a volunteer group we rely on funding and donations to help keep our seas clean, but also to raise awareness of the problem and what we can do as individuals to help. The media coverage received during 2010 has been fantastic to increase this awareness. We are very grateful to all of our funders, those that have shown interest and support and of course our volunteers. We hope that the group's work continues and expands in 2011".