The Two Oceans Aquarium hosted a Trash Bash at Monwabisi beach as part of World Clean-up Day last Saturday, September 21.

World Clean-up Day started in 2008 in Estonia to create awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution to ocean health. This initiative inspired a global movement with a belief that one can make a difference in one day.

Helen Lockhart, conservation and sustainability manager for the Two Oceans Aquarium, said: “Beach clean-ups are vital as they prevent plastic and other trash from being deposited into the ocean and beyond our shores. Cleaning a beach is one of many easy and fun ways of contributing to our responsibility for ensuring a healthy natural environment, while providing data for scientific studies. It is also an opportunity to connect with nature.”

She urged everyone who loves the ocean to join the daily battle for a healthy ocean.

She said using plastic more wisely is one of the first lines of defence against plastic contamination in our seas. Tips include buying fresh fruit and vegetables unpackaged, switching balloons for flags or bunting at your upcoming birthday party, refusing a straw for your drink or a lid for your take-out coffee, and saying no to single-use plastic bags.

Heather Wares, Two Oceans Aquarium communications manager, said their team was joined by an enthusiastic group of ocean-loving public, who together collected 414 kg of litter from the beach. This haul was made up of straws, lollipop sticks, plastic bags and lots of small pieces of plastic, which were sorted by a dedicated team of aquarium staff members.

She said the long stretch of beach is a vital coastal space for surrounding communities of fishers, lifeguards, families and beach goers.

“As a feature of the Two Oceans Aquarium Trash Bash 2024 calendar, it has been an ideal platform for our ocean conservation message. By coming together as a community, we can stop the cycle of pollution and remove litter from our beaches before it endangers the marine wildlife of False Bay. This will provide hope for the protection of the precious biodiversity of our oceans,” said Ms Wares.

She also urged those who want to be part of the Trash Bash team to join the Two Oceans Aquarium at their next event on Saturday October 26 at Sunset Beach.

Two Oceans Aquarium and volunteers collected 414kg of litter at Monwabisi beach in Khayelitsha. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

Volunteers clean Monwabisi beach in Khayelitsha during the World Clean-up Day event. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

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Trash bash at Monwabisi beach