A NEW attraction on uMhlanga’s Promenade is turning heads and highlighting one of the most pressing environmental issues affecting the world over; plastic pollution.
The Global Organisation 4 Brighter Youth (GOBY) environmental project, symbolised by a five metre fish structure (mimicking an actual Goby fish), launched in 2019 aims to address the issue of plastic waste on the KZN coastline, while educating children and families on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste and removing plastic waste from our beaches.
Founder and director of the initiative, Vaughn Bishop said the GOBY fish structure is the only fish that should eat plastic.
In other uMhlanga news: WATCH: New raised boardwalk set for uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
“The message really is about respecting the environment. I think there is a fun element for the youth in that they can feed GOBY with plastic, in fact we encourage it. I know the beaches are closed currently under the new regulations but we are urging residents and those using the promenade who find pieces of plastic on their walk to feed their GOBY.
“Looking at various studies highlighting this issue, it is clear that plastic is killing our oceans and the creatures in them. We’ve also placed a bench at the foot of the structure made by Ecology Plastics. They manufacture recycled plastic into benches and other products. We also have volunteers stationed at the structure in the mornings and evenings, when the promenade is at its busiest who will talk to the people about recycling and plastic pollution. I also want to say a huge thanks to local businesses and sponsors who have been great as have the Beverly Hills Hotel who’ve allowed us to use their grass verge near the whale bone pier,” Bishop said.
The structure will be stationed at the promenade until mid-May.
GOBY has partnered with the uMhlanga UIP to create awareness around plastic waste management and get the public involved in being part of the solution.
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