More volunteers needed for huge coastal clean-up

Join hands to mount the biggest-ever Nelson Mandela Bay assault on litter and illegal dumping of rubbish.

It is the 2018 International Coastal Clean-Up Day on Saturday September 15.

Twenty-seven organisations, community groups, schools and companies will take part at 17 different spots around the Bay – and they are calling others to lend a hand.

One of the co-ordinators, Dr Lorien Pichegru, said teams removed more than 12 tons of rubbish in 2017.

“This year, we are hoping for an even greater impact.” Scheduled clean-ups are:

Colchester – organised by local community. Contact: Dennis Spicer 082-9377-288;

Bluewater Bay Beach – organised by Zwartkops Conservancy. Meet at 9.30am at the beach, at the bottom of Weinronk Way. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Jenny Rump 082-853-0700;

Motherwell Stormwater Canal – organised by Zwartkops Conservancy. Meet 9.30am at Tyinira St in Motherwell, just off M17. Bags and gloves provided. Contact: Luthando Gxowa 083-228-7325;

Swartkops River by kayak – organised by Schotia Safaris. See Facebook page: Schotia Safaris private game reserve;

Baakens Valley – organised by Valley Crag. Meet at 9.30am at Valley Crag Climbing Gym. See details on the Valley Crag Facebook page;

Hobie Beach – organised by ProDive. Meet 12.30pm at the pier. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Linda 079-352-0965;

Cape Recife – organised by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds and the Wildlife & Environment Society of SA. Meet at 9.30am at the foundation’s centre at Cape Recife. Bags and gloves provided. Contact: Luc Hosten 072-265-4073;

Schoenmakerskop – organised by PE Permaculture Group. Meet 9.30am at Sacramento Restaurant. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Krag Lohry 083-290-0414;

Maitlands Beach – organised by Raggy Charters. Meet at 9.30am at the car park. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Lloyd Edwards 084552-2277;

Blue Horizon Bay – organised by local community. Contact: johann@sapicasso.co.za;

Seaview, Beachview shoreline – meet at the bus stop/parking opposite old Seaview Hotel at 9.30am. Bags and gloves supplied;

Brighton Beach Community Clean-Up – organised by The Waste Trade Company and Project Nelson Mandela Bay, 9am-noon.

The municipality and Plastics SA would be providing bags for most of the clean-ups, Pichegru said.

The Sustainable Seas Trust and the NMU Green Campus Initiative would then collect data on the “Dirty Dozen”, the 12 pieces of rubbish most commonly found.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Pichegru on 078-844-3863.