Two Oceans Aquarium – Endangered Species Day Trash Bash at Hout Bay

by Philip | May 13, 2024 | Featured | 0 comments

Come Along - Enjoy & MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The Two Oceans Aquarium Endangered Species Day Trash Bash on 18 May, this month’s beach clean-up, takes place at Hout Bay Beach and Harbour.

The ocean needs us – we want YOU to help us make a difference. For this Trash Bash, the Two Oceans Aquarium team will tackle litter on land and underwater. The Trash Bash team will be set up on the beach, while the Two Oceans Aquarium’s PADI Dive School will go below the surface to clean up along the harbour wall.

The Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School has officially adopted Hout Bay Beach (and the harbour wall) for underwater cleanups, and weather permitting, you will see the divers in action at this cleanup event!

Endangered Species Day (17 May 2024)

What’s more, Two Oceans Aquarium will be shining a light on Endangered Species Day (17 May 2024) with this two-pronged approach. What better way to raise awareness of the importance of ocean wellness for marine animals to thrive?

The Two Oceans Aquarium is acutely aware that increasing numbers of marine species are being added to the endangered species list. “Five of the seven sea turtle species are endangered, while the African penguin urgently needs assistance to turn the tide on their looming extinction. Significant contributors to this extreme situation include human actions negatively affecting ocean health and the inaction of human beings to make a change,” said Heather Wares, Communications Manager.

“Trash Bash is one small way to take action and make a positive change,” continued Ms Wares.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is one of the biggest threats facing endangered sea turtles. At the Turtle Conservation Centre, our team confronts the impact of plastic pollution daily. In 2023, 55 out of 79 turtles (70%) undergoing rehabilitation with the Turtle Conservation Centre had consumed plastic. These turtles have excreted 490 plastic pieces, averaging 11 pieces per turtle. During the 2022 stranding season, 98 out of 157 (62%) turtles undergoing rehabilitation had excreted plastic, totalling 618 pieces and an average of 16 pieces each. The most plastic from one turtle was 61 pieces.

Turtles mistake plastic floating in the ocean for food. Once they have ingested the plastic, they slowly starve as their stomachs become too full of plastic for them to feel hungry or to digest any actual food.

The Trash Bash team calls on the public to responsibly use and dispose of plastic. “A first defence against plastic pollution in our oceans is to make conscious decisions around our everyday plastic use. Some easy-to-implement suggestions are to buy fresh rather than pre-packed fruit and vegetables, to pass on balloons for your upcoming birthday party and opt for alternatives like flags or bunting, refuse a straw for your drink or a lid for your takeaway coffee, and finally, say no to single-use plastic bags. Recycling and upcycling are ways to avoid plastic going to landfill.

“All litter should be responsibly disposed of so that it is kept out of the ocean and the environment as a whole,” said Helen Lockhart, Two Oceans Aquarium Conservation and Sustainability Manager.

Trash Bash cleanups are among the Two Oceans Aquarium’s most popular initiatives. Each cleanup provides an opportunity to highlight concern for the health of our ocean and show how individual actions can make a difference.

What to bring: Weather-appropriate clothing, a bucket for trash collection, water (in a reusable bottle), reusable gloves (like the ones you’d use for gardening or doing dishes), and a smile!
WIN! Amazing prizes are up for grabs, courtesy of Suzuki South Africa. Learn more HERE.

Bring your families and friends, put on your gloves and sunhats, and join us for a fun day out that helps turtles and other marine animals.

COME ALONG – ENJOY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

WHAT: Endangered Species Day Trash Bash
WHERE: Hout Bay Beach,
WHEN: 18 May 2024 09h00 to 11h00
INFO: | VISIT | Facebook | See also Cape Town Green Map

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