In celebration of World Ocean’s Day recently, uShaka staff members took to uShaka Beach to spend an hour picking up small pieces of plastic off the beach, which are difficult to see and often the most harmful to marine life.
uShaka Sea World Marine Educator, Presha Govender, who assisted in the clean-up, has witnessed first-hand, the impact micro plastics have on the health of turtles and spent time in Sea World’s Turtle Rehabilitation Facility nursing turtles who were recovering from plastic ingestion.
Fiona MacKay, a Senior Scientist from The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), a division of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), described how the tiny microbeads found in some body and face washes which are generally smaller than 1mm and typically made of polyethylene, were making their way from supermarket shelves, to homes, down sinks and finally into the ocean where they are often mistaken for food by small animals. By consuming microbeads, small fish and animals may face the risk of digestive blockage and starvation.
With the spectacular variety of plants, animals, ecosystems and a total of 136 different habitat types that make up the South African coasts and seas, it is important for the public to spend time finding out just how they can make the right choices.
“We are so lucky to be able to enjoy our beautiful beaches and love our precious marine environment and it is up to us to ensure that it stays healthy,” says Stella Khumalo, uShaka Marine World’s CEO who also
participated in accompanying the group on the day. “All of us must remember; healthy oceans ensure healthy people,” she added.
