Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC) was started in 2005 by Pembrokeshire diver Dave Kennard and Keep Wales Tidy.
At selected weekends between March and September, volunteers remove litter that poses a risk to habitats and their wildlife.
Items raised are sorted, recorded and if possible recycled.
“The rubbish we see is simply out of sight, out of mind, but people need to realise the damage it can do,” says Dave Kennard.
“We collect everything from shopping trolleys and bikes to car batteries.
In one session diving around the quay at Stackpole, the team of volunteers collected, says Kennard, “730 fishing weights”.
The organisation, of which Kennard is Chairman, is healthy with some 25 volunteers. However, it would like to expand its activities if more divers are willing to get involved.
Land volunteers who can help process and record raised materials would also be welcomed.
In 2009, NARC was named Most Admired Voluntary Group in Wales, in the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action’s Network Wales Awards.
Remaining rubbish recovery dates for this year are:
8 August – Skomer
12 August - Hobbs Point
20 August - Skomer
10 September - Stackpole
9 October - Hobbs Point
To get involved, contact Dave Kennard on 07525 687676 or communicate with him online via the organisation’s website www.narc-cc.org.uk.