ON International Coastal Clean-Up day, 19 September, local organisations went beyond the beach to collect plastic debris in the reef off Vetch’s Beach in Durban.
Sarah Ferguson, CEO and founder of Breathe Conservation, said the group had been waiting 10 months for the clean-up, which was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The group, in partnership with Zebra Shark Adventures, took to the reef to collect debris which is detrimental to ocean life.
Sarah said the clean-up would usually take place on a monthly basis if not for the Covid-19 pandemic.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Volunteers chip in at Vetch’s on International Coastal Clean-up Day
“There are loads of beach clean-ups, both formal and informal, but no organised underwater clean ups. We thought this would be a unique way to show people our incredible marine life as well as clean up the ocean. People would then see first hand how litter is impacting marine life by seeing the packets and fishing line stuck on the coral and suffocating our marine life,” she said.
On the shore, environmental educator, Andre Steenkamp, took a group on a walk along Vetch’s Beach, discussing various topics such as the tides, and speaking about creatures encountered along the way. The group also picked up any litter they found along the route.
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