#SaveOurTurtles Ocean Superheroes – a special interactive and informative activation in the Centre Court area of the Waterfront’s Victoria Mall – has been staged by the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation, in partnership with Consol Glass and the V&A Waterfront.
Accessible from both the Food Court and the larger shopping centre area, this activation will focus on messages around the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles by the Aquarium Foundation, and a reduction in the use of plastic.
The activation in the Waterfront will be a combination of interesting facts, eye-catching design and safe interactive play for children. The stand has been designed to encourage visitors to learn more about the plight of sea turtles, become familiar with some of the stories of various turtles that have been rehabilitated by the Aquarium Foundation over the years, and to learn more about the Ocean Villains that have caused these turtles to end up in the rehabilitation programme in the first place. Sea turtles need all of us to be Ocean Superheroes in order for them to overcome the threats of ghost nets, balloons, plastic bags and microplastics.
- “In 2021, 71% percent of the turtles that have been rescued and are being rehabilitated by the Aquarium Foundation’s programme, have ingested plastic. Our most recent arrival, a beautiful 50kg loggerhead turtle named Nobomvu, was tangled in a ghost fishing net”, confirmed Ann Lamont, Executive Chairperson of the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation.Partnerships for a healthier ocean.
For the Aquarium, the partnership with Consol Glass and the Waterfront was a natural one, as both of these companies are working towards reducing plastic waste and ensuring a healthier future for the ocean. “The Two Oceans Aquarium and the Aquarium Foundation are committed to working collaboratively with SOLVE, a V&A Waterfront initiative that is committed to building better futures, and to innovate and build awareness around the importance of reducing plastics use”, said Lamont. The V&A Waterfront connects the people of Cape Town with the ocean and is committed to solving for a better future for its people and the ocean. The Waterfront is also working with tenants and visitors across the neighbourhood to reduce single-use plastics, innovate around alternatives and lessen the impact on ocean life.
Partnerships for a healthier ocean
Consol Glass’s involvement with the activation was driven and supported by its #IChanged2050 campaign. “As a business, we aim to get involved in initiatives that drive positive change on the ground. People are realising that we need to act now to protect the environment, but they don’t always know where to start. This activation resonates with us as it not only fits within our environmental strategy pillar, but it links to our ‘I Changed 2050’ campaign which encourages change at an individual level,” said Dale Carolin, Senior Group Executive: Marketing and Commercial for Consol Glass.
The #IChanged2050 campaign aims to heighten the awareness around the fact that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean by weight, than fish. The campaign encourages the switch from single-use to sustainable packaging, like glass.
A key element of the campaign is the launch of Consol’s 2050 Sleek Bottle which is not only stylish, but endlessly refillable and easily recycled. Besides being branded with the image of a whale, sea turtle or seal, what makes this new bottle so exceptional is that 10% of all sales, matched in value by Consol, will be donated on behalf of consumers to an organisation that is making a real difference to the health of South Africa’s oceans, like the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation. These beautiful bottles can be purchased at The Consol Shop or online by visiting www.consolshop.co.za.
Why turtles?
The rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles is important to ensure the future survival of sea turtle species. Considering that only one or two in a thousand sea turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood, and that all sea turtle species are currently either endangered or critically endangered, each and every turtle that can be given a better chance of survival is vital for the population numbers. To this end, the activation in the Waterfront also aims to raise funds for the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation’s turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release programme. This Programme rehabilitates a number of sea turtles every year until they are fit and healthy enough to be released again. Visitors to the activation will have the opportunity to either donate, or purchase some of the Programme’s merchandise that will be for sale.
Visitors to the Waterfront over the next couple of days are invited to stop by the activation, situated in the Centre Court, and experience the fun and creative way through which the stories of the rehabilitated turtles are told. The activation will give everyone the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the ocean, Ocean Superheroes, and the Ocean Villains that are out there.
Be an Ocean Superhero and #SaveOurTurltes. And #STAYSAFE and ENJOY.
WHERE: Centre Court area of the Waterfront’s Victoria Mall, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: 29 July to 2 August
INFO: T +27 (0)21 418 3823 | E | Website: www.aquarium.co.za | Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001
See Also: Cape Town Green Map
Plastic Free July – Save Sea Turtles when Shopping
Celebrating Ocean Superheroes at Two Oceans Aquarium
PHOTO CREDIT: Martine Viljoen
