Ensuring the coast is clear of plastic
Aquarium’s clean-up campaign aims to save bird species
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2017
THE TWO Oceans Aquarium will be hosting the annual International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday at the Milnerton Lighthouse, Woodbridge Island, from 10am to 12am. The clean-up was initiated by the Ocean Conservancy, which seeks to ensure the ecosystem is not harmed by the threat of waste.
In its report of 2016, Ocean Conservancy quotes a publication in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences which showed the consequences of the plastic avalanche entering the ocean.
“Using global historical data from publications over the last few decades on the presence of plastics in the stomachs of 135 species of sea birds from all around the world, the authors show that plastic contamination is increasing, and they predict that 99% of all sea bird species will be eating plastic by 2050 unless something is done to stem the tide.
“Surprisingly, seabirds that may be most at risk are those that lived at the Southern Ocean boundary in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, far from the well-known ‘garbage patches’ at the centre of the ocean’s gyres. While plastics are less abundant in the Tasman Sea compared to the gyres, it is where seabirds are most common, and thus at greatest risk of exposure to plastics,” the report reads.
“Contamination rates have increased from about 26% historically to approximately 65% today; if the trend continues, nearly all species of seabirds – and almost 95% of all individuals – will be exposed to plastics by 2050. So, this isn’t just about the albatross, it’s about all seabirds including prions, storm petrels and the many other species that spend the majority of their lives living over the ocean.”
Last year, more than 20 countries and more than 11.5 million people participated in the clean-up campaign. In South Africa, the Two Oceans Aquarium is at the forefront of the clean-up campaign.
The first 100 Two Oceans Aquarium members to arrive for the clean-up campaign will receive a free gift. There will also be a lucky draw with great prizes, and a mobile puppet show for children.
Participants are advised to bring sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, reusable gloves and some passion. To become a citizen scientist after the clean-up, download the Clean Swell app to share your achievements and to provide data to the Ocean Conservancy’s research database.