Startling statistics shared at Marine Month meeting

National Marine Month ended with a special function held in the Dias Museum on Tuesday evening, 30 October.

The theme for 2018, “Nature knows no waste”, was decided on by the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Guests were greeted by Anette Strydom playing the piano and Estelle Mcllrath was the programme director.

Benna van den Bergh, disguised as a pirate, welcomed the distinguished guests who included the Friends of the Museum, members of the Mossel Bay Arts Society and committee members of the Garden Route Casino Community Trust.

Three guest speakers were invited to talk about the role they play to establish a litter-free land and then litter-free oceans, consequently.

Sivuyile Mtile is the senior manager: Waste Management and Pollution Control at the Mossel Bay Municipality.

He explained the enormous task that his department has to remove tons of waste. He also had to answer many questions - a clear indication that the residents of Mossel Bay are not only keen to reduce waste but they have concerns about and also ideas on how to ease the growing litter problem.

A representative from Interwaste explained the company’s role in recycling the contents of the blue bags they receive. Sadly, only a fraction of the items collected can be recycled. Residents are asked to check for the recycling sign on packaging.

A representative of S.M.A.R.T. (Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team) then gave feedback on the audited International Coastal Clean-up day held on 15 September, in which 453 volunteers participated, cleaning 15 beaches in the greater Mossel Bay area and collecting 450kg of rubbish.

The following comprised the top 10 list for the Mossel Bay clean-up:

1. Micro plastic pieces 3 611; 2. Cigarette butts 3 389; 3. Small foam pieces 1 582; 4. Plastic bottle caps 1 221; 5. Small glass pieces 1 149; 6. Food wrappers (sweets/chocolate/ chips, etc) 830; 7. Metal bottle caps 708; 8. Fishing line (in metres) 708; 9. Plastic straws/ stirrers 625; 10. Plastic bags 479 (grocery bags 111 and other 368).

The message conveyed at the function was clear: recover, reduce, re-use and recycle with a new one - refuse, something every resident can be part of.