Remarkable beach clean-up

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A remarkable clean-up took place on Dias Beach, Mossel Bay, on World Oceans Day. What made it significant was that several organisations were involved and although a small group of people took part, 20 kilograms of rubbish were collected in 2,5 hours.

The 20kg were mainly small plastics, which people picked up while on their knees, and excluded the large items they collected.

PHOTO GALLERY: A remarkable beach clean-up

Adults and children who participated worked in the rain and wind on Thursday, 8 June.

The clean-up was advertised beforehand on a popular Facebook site for Mossel Bay residents.

Nico Booyens, a marine biologist and the director of research at the Shark Research Unit in Mossel Bay, organised the clean-up.

He said: "Representatives of the Shark Research Unit, Keep Fin Alive, the National Sea Rescue Institute, Justice 4 Jaws, Youth4MPAs (marine protected areas), Africa Media and Fire Island Conservation participated.

"A group of home-schooled children also took part and a few people on the beach joined the clean-up."

Booyens noted: "The fact that so many organisations took part and people turned up in really bad weather, shows how much people care. Their commitment means a lot.

"This bodes well for International Coastal Clean-up Day on 16 September. There should be a good turnout for that. Last week's clean-up was preparation for this."

He was surprised at the amount of rubbish on Dias Beach. "I thought it was a clean beach, relatively."

Seven vehicle tyres were found. The volunteers ended up using a cart to drag the rubbish bags and items off the beach.

"We asked the municipality for permission to do the clean-up," Booyens said.

Photos: Africa Media