AS the world marks International Coastal Clean-up Day today (Saturday, September 19), WILDOCEANS, a programme of the NPO WILDTRUST, has received a major funding boost to support its marine conservation work.

WILDOCEANS received a donation of R331 308.81 from Mr Price Sport as a show of commitment to environmental sustainability and marine conservation.

The cheque handover took place at uShaka Marine Beach on Tuesday morning (September 15) and was followed by a beach clean-up initiative that saw volunteers collect about 36 bags of waste.

Mr Price Sport Head of Marketing Philippa Feher said the donation, coupled with the clean-up, highlighted the value of the partnership and its impact on environmental stewardship.

She said the company’s WILDOCEANS range has contributed meaningfully to marine conservation while encouraging the community to become more aware of the role they can play in protecting our oceans.

Also Read: World Ocean Day clean-up at Blue Lagoon Beach

“Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and we encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our oceans clean and thriving for future generations,” said Feher.

Her message was echoed by Nosipho Mthabela, Communications and Campaigns Manager for the WILDOCEANS programme of WILDTRUST, who welcomed the donation.

“The fundng will make a meaningful difference across three important initiatives: the Blue Port Project, which works to reduce plastic pollution entering and accumulating in the Durban Port; research conducted aboard the Research Vessel Angra Pequena, which strengthens our understanding of South Africa’s marine environment and the wider Western Indian Ocean.

“And our turtle monitoring programme, which supports local community members in protecting critically endangered Leatherback and threatened Loggerhead turtles along the iSimangaliso Wetland Park coastline.”

Also Read: World Ocean Day clean-up at Blue Lagoon Beach

The partnership between Mr Price Sport and WILDTRUST began in 2019, when the company approached WILDOCEANS with a vision to develop a clothing range that celebrates the beauty of South Africa’s oceans while generating funds to support critical marine conservation efforts.

“We are incredibly grateful for Mr Price Sport’s partnership in helping us protect our oceans and the wildlife that depends on them,” said Mthabela.

International Coastal Clean-up Day is an annual global initiative that brings people together to remove litter from beaches, waterways and other coastal areas, while raising awareness about the impact of waste on marine ecosystems.

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