Thousands of volunteers have swept across dozens of Jersey Shore beaches as part of an environmental group's cleanup program.
Clean Ocean Action staged its 31st annual spring beach sweeps Saturday at more than 70 coastal locations across the state.
Nearly 4,000 volunteers collected, tallied and removed hundreds of harmful and unsightly debris. Their discoveries included a CD of Christmas songs, an electrical plug, a screw driver, a gasoline can, candle wax, medical bracelets and a golf ball.
The data collected from these sweeps will be combined with information collected during similar events held this fall, then analyzed and presented in an annual report.
Organizers say the reports identify pollution problems, educate citizens on the types and quantities of debris and contribute to local and international efforts to combat marine pollution.
