Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa, in collaboration with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, organized the fourth annual Trash Free Waters Dive Crew Day at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The clean-up event took place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., involving divers and volunteers who worked to remove debris from the Hillsborough River.

This initiative was supported by several city departments and external partners, including the Tampa Police Department Marine Unit, Tampa Fire Rescue, Parks & Recreation, and the City of Tampa Green Team. Other organizations involved were Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Pirate Water Taxi, Force Blue, Adventure Outfitters, and PDQ.

Initially started to clear electric scooters from the river, the effort has expanded to remove various discarded items such as bicycles, lawn furniture, traffic cones, and other debris. Volunteers participated both on water and land to ensure a comprehensive clean-up.

“Tampa is a city built around water, and it’s up to all of us to keep our bay clean," stated Mayor Jane Castor. “Thanks to the incredible teamwork of our city departments, partnering organizations, and dedicated volunteers, we’re making a real difference in preserving Tampa’s natural beauty.”

Divers from the Tampa Police Department and non-profit Force Blue retrieved submerged waste from the riverbed while land-based volunteers collected litter along the shoreline.