Public urged to support coastal clean-up initiatives

RESIDENTS are invited to participate in International Coastal Clean-up events on Saturday 17 September.

Most littered plastic waste ultimately ends up at sea and as plastic does not fully break down; it ends up as small plastic pellets often referred to as “mermaid’s tears’. These round, shiny mermaids tears are almost impossible to clean up and usually measure less than 5mm in diameter. Mermaid’s tears are often so small it takes a magnifying-glass to see them and are even found in filter feeders like mussels, barnacles, lugworms and amphipods.

All sea creatures, from the largest to the smallest, are, at one point or another, swallowing seawater instilled with toxic mermaids tears. From whales, seals, fish, dolphins, turtles, sharks, crabs and birds to zooplankton, plastic is greatly affecting marine life both on shore and off shore whether by ingestion or entanglement. To many ocean inhabitants, plastic pellets resemble fish eggs which are a part of their favourite diet.

The International Coastal Clean-up engages the public to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches, rivers and estuaries.

This year uShaka Marine World is taking this initiative a step forward by encouraging South Africans to pick up plastic litter whilst they can still see it regardless of whether they are in urban cities, rural villages walking along a river bank, estuaries or at the beach.

“As individuals we might not be able to solve the oceans pollution crisis, but we certainly can stop the single plastic we hold in our hands from ending up in the ocean. Take two kitchen gloves and a container with you on Saturday, 17 September and spend just 10 minutes picking up litter wherever you are, the ocean will thank you,” said Jone Porter, Director of Education at uShaka Sea World.

There will also be an event at Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve from 8am to 3pm.

The purpose of this clean-up campaign is for the learners that are participating in the Schools Recycling Programme to increase their waste collections, allowing them the chance to stand in line to win amazing prizes at this year’s Schools Recycling Awards, an initiative of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa.

A simple walk on any beach, anywhere, and the plastic waste spectacle is evident. But what happens to plastic litter if we don’t pick it up whilst we can still see it?

Go along and show your support, while helping to clean up our coastline.