PEOPLE have been challenged to shop with oceans in mind as it is World Oceans Day on Monday, 8 June. Publicist at Ushaka Marine World, Steven Brown, said often there is not enough time to stop and really think about what people are buying when rushing through the supermarket on a busy day.
“But before dipping into your wallet, we would like to encourage people to take just a little time out to read labels and research what makes up those detergents and soaps that are part of our daily lives. Some detergents and soaps are labelled bio-degradable. Some plastics are recyclable. Some toothpastes contain less micro plastic beads than others. Some products are produced using pesticides and are more harmful than others.
“It is the friendly ones that should make their way into your trolley. When you do go shopping, try to remember to take your own shopping bag and say ‘no’ to single-use plastic bags.
“When choosing fresh seafood, select from the SASSI green list or, when buying frozen seafood, look for the MSC blue label.
“Do not forget – say no to straws and single-use polystyrene containers. All South Africans are connected to the ocean,” said Brown.
This country has a coastline of about 3 500km and extends 200 nautical miles offshore. Most of the population lives on the coastal plain or in the catchments of rivers that wind their way down to the sea. There is a spectacular variety of plants, animals, ecosystems and a total of 136 different habitat types that make up the South African coasts and seas.
“It’s also a good reason for every one of us to spend time to find out just how we can make the right choices,” added Brown.
