Reduce plastic dependency to save turtles
IT IS ocean villains versus ocean superheroes in the race to reduce the amount of plastic in the oceans.
In an endeavour to highlight the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation, Consol Glass and the V&A Waterfront will be hosting a #SaveOurTurtles Ocean Superheroes activation.
The activation will be taking place from July 29 until August 2 at the Centre Court of the V&A Waterfront to raise awareness for the plight of sea turtles, to inform people about what they can do to ensure the survival and future health of the marine environment, and to raise funds for the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation’s sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release programme.
Two Oceans Aquarium spokesperson Renée Leeuwner said all sea turtle species were endangered or critically endangered with only one or two out of 1 000 hatchlings making it to adulthood and thousands killed every year through human activities.
“Every single person can contribute to the health of the ocean by reducing their dependence on plastic, and choosing more sustainable packaging materials,” said Leeuwner.
Foundation executive chairperson Ann Lamont said, “In 2021, 71% percent of the turtles that have been rescued and are being rehabilitated by the Aquarium Foundation’s programme, have ingested plastic. Our most recent arrival, a beautiful 50kg loggerhead turtle named Nobomvu, was tangled in a ghost fishing net.”
AfriOceans Conservation Alliance chief executive Lesley Rochat said awareness efforts such as this activation were essential as plastic pollution was the oceans’ new cancer.
Rochat said plastics break down into micro-plastics, which often get ingested by sea animals such as sea turtles, many of them becoming entangled and millions dying every year as a result.