WATER WORLD
SURF SCENE’S GLOBAL FIGHT P33
THE movement for eradication of ocean plastic pollution has gained new momentum.
The Bali World Tour event has been renamed as the Corona Bali Protected, currently being held at Keramas on the East of Bali, Indonesia.
Unfortunately, the popular Indo tourist surfing playground has recently been the focus of all types of unrecycled waste and plastics washing up on the beaches, let alone what lies beneath the waves.
Fortunately, Coronas are served in bottles without straws – but seriously it is encouraging to see that the Mexican beverage has partnered with Parley in a global campaign to help clean up the beaches and address the ocean pollution issue.
Last May, Corona made an ambitious commitment with Parley for the oceans to protect 100 islands around the world from marine plastic pollution by 2020.
Corona and Parley are now inviting brands of the consumer packaged goods industry to join a task force with the objective of leaving a lasting legacy in Bali’s coastal regions through the implementation of the Parley AIR strategy – Avoid plastic, Intercept plastic debris, and Redesign materials and products.
It’s a refreshing change to see World Surf League tackle the plastics issue head on and adopt a new proactive awareness campaign that is affecting the ocean environment by showcasing the world’s best surfers in support.
The new boss of WSL and for the first time led by a woman, Sophie Goldschmidt, may have been influenced by the UK Prime Minister Theresa May when her Government pledged $100 million to fight the ocean plastics pollution problem.
Neither are surfers but are only too aware that something needs to be done.
Strangely, the Australian Government has not signed up to join the fight with the UK and fellow Commonwealth countries like New Zealand, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka and Ghana.
Hawaiian World Tour competitor Sebastian Zietz and his wife Krisy have lent their support to the war on plastics, recently joining with Surfrider Foundation on Kauai where they live to do a big clean-up at Hanalei Bay.
“I like the concept that WSL have initiated here in Bali,” said Seabass, who supports the Take 3 for the Sea (picking up three items every time you leave the beach.)
But the Hawaiian says: “In Hawaii hardly anyone litters but here there is so much trash on the beach. When I’m surfing if I see some plastic float by I will pick it up and put it in my pocket.”
Don’t forget it’s World Environment day next Tuesday and the global theme is “Beat Plastic Pollution”.