Yearly, the group at Robben Island Museum (RIM) rolls up their sleeves to wash up the shoreline to guard the island’s fragile marine ecosystem.
As a Marine Protected Space situated simply off one in all Africa’s busiest harbours, the Port of Cape City, Robben Island faces fixed strain from human exercise. Fishing and leisure boating within the surrounding waters usually result in marine air pollution. Litter and particles drift via the currents and ultimately wash ashore, fragmenting delicate ecological techniques.
In line with this yr’s World Setting Day theme of “Ending Plastic Air pollution”, we take a look at how Robben Island is making a sustainable impression to guard the oceans and marine life.
Combatting Plastic Air pollution
Robben Island is a breeding floor for seabirds, together with the critically endangered African Penguin and the Financial institution Cormorant. Marine litter, particularly plastic, not solely disrupts their habitat but in addition causes entanglement, harm, and even loss of life amongst many species that decision this UNESCO World Heritage Website house. Prevailing excessive winds and sea currents additionally exacerbate the positioning’s publicity to marine air pollution. That’s the place the coastal clean-up is available in. Every year, RIM workers, students, and neighborhood volunteers choose up particles in a bid to remove plastic air pollution.
In accordance with RIM, these efforts lead to greater than 1000 baggage of litter being collected in a single clean-up. RIM mentioned in a press release that these coastal clean-up initiatives not solely protect the Island’s wealthy historical past but in addition function academic platforms to lift consciousness among the many individuals in regards to the impacts of waste on marine ecosystems. “Marine litter is recognized as a world environmental menace, due to this fact, involving surrounding communities is a method of selling environmental stewardship that contributes to world environmental efforts.”
Get Concerned
RIM additionally conducts adhoc clean-ups when essential and can also be open to companions or organisations who might wish to dedicate their time and conduct a costal clear up on the island.
For additional data, go to Robben Island’s web site.
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