Massive amount of litter collected

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - On Friday, 22 March, following Human Rights Day, Fransmanshoek Conservancy once again hosted a coastal clean-up involving rural local school children through the support of Vleesbaai Aandeleblok's Erfenisfonds programme and local community leaders.

Fourteen children joined the Fransmanshoek rangers for the event during which more than 200kg of litter was collected from 10km of coastline between Springerbaai Eco-Estate and Kanon beach, the eastern and western borders of the conservancy respectively.

Much of the litter collected originates from offshore marine vessels which illegally and unthoughtfully discard their rubbish out of view in the sea; sadly, much is also left behind by local and visiting shore fishermen.

The conservancy rangers guided the clean-ups, splitting the children into two groups which each cleaned separate areas and then met afterwards at Vleesbaai for a light lunch.

The Erfenisfonds provided all the children and rangers with a cool drink and hot dog, as well as covered the transport costs for the day.

The morning was rounded off for the group with an exciting guided tour of the intertidal zone, where the rangers interpreted the fascinating world found on the coastal rocks. All the children received certificates for their deed from community leader Hennie Floors. Whilst on the clean-up Kei Heyns, Taylor Fiford, Apogee Fowler and Daniel Ferreira of Fransmanshoek Conservancy also gave short conservation-based talks to try to empower the young minds to make conservation conscious decisions in this world of ever-decreasing natural areas.

"The most common items found were empty plastic water bottles which continuously appear branded by foreign languages from all over the world. Plastic bottled water and plastics in general must be one of the biggest environmental disasters of the 21st century," reports Heyns.

The millions of plastic products bought in South Africa every year, end up all over the country side as pollution and unnecessary waste products.

"Hardly anybody even realises that plastics can and should be recycled. Let us put a stop to this ridiculous trend. We all, as individuals, can make a difference as we control the market as consumers.

"We wish that for future clean-ups the public will be more involved to make a difference to our environment and to show that they all still care."

Heyns wishes to thank Morton Hubbe of the Garden Route District Municipality for providing the bags, and Chris Booysen, Vivian Pauw and Martin Pauw of Vleesbaai Aandeleblok Erfenisfonds for initiating and funding the event with the help of local community leaders, ultimately making the day possible.

"Thanks also to Springerbaai Eco-Estate, Fred Orban and Riekie van Rensburg of the Vleesbaai 4X4 Dune Route for their much-appreciated assistance. Lastly, thanks a million to all the local children for their dedication."

More than 200kg of litter was collected from 10km of coastline between Springerbaai Eco-Estate and Kanon beach.