Past Event Report

April 9, 2011

Beach Cleanup - Cape Town

Each year some 400 million tons of trash is dumped in the ocean. Sea Shepherd South Africa organized a small but dedicated group of volunteers to tackle the situation locally. We gathered on the East Pier of the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town on Saturday and set about cleaning up some of the filth. We managed to collect over 80 bags of mostly plastic, Styrofoam containers and broken glass.

It was plain to all who took part that there is a dire this type of event to happen on a regular basis. These 80 bags of trash were collected from an area half the size of a football field and ironically not more than 150 meters from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. We took it upon ourselves to make a statement by delivering this trash to their very doorstep.

The event highlighted not only the need for clean ups but also drew lots of attention. We had our Jolly Rogers up at the entrance and had a large number of people make enquiries.

In going forward for future events, we learned some valuable lessons. We need to get schools involved. Not only for the many hands, but also because it will teach children just how important it is not to litter.

Report by Pat Dickens, Sea Shepherd South Africa