PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - For the next 10 days the Bitou Municipality, along with the Keep Plett Clean Campaign, will be heading to the beach to continue the fight against nurdles.
The initiative will run from 5 to 15 January and calls on residents and visitors to offer their time to assist.
Municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said that the campaign envisaged three teams of 15 volunteers each undertaking a two hour clean-up at a specific beach within the municipal area each day. “This is in response to the nurdles and plastic pollution that washes onto the beach every day,” Namntu said.
Nurdles are very small plastic pellets which serves as raw material in the manufacturing of plastic products.
Due to their size, and often clear colour, nurdles can look like fish eggs or other small animals which makes them particularly attractive to seabirds, fish and other marine wildlife.
Plastic can get trapped in an animal’s stomach causing ulceration, making them feel full and stopping them from eating real food. This can lead to starvation and potentially death.
Toxic chemicals can also transfer from microplastics which is another route for these chemicals to enter the food chain and harm the human population.
“Should any member of the public be interested in volunteering their time please send your declaration of interest, name, surname and cellphone contact number to Bitou’s Environmental Management Officer, Anjé Taljaard.”
She can be reached via e-mail, ataljaard@plett.gov.za or 044 01 3318.
“Volunteers will be chosen on a first come basis and will be expected to complete a permit application form to be allowed on the beach during Lockdown Level 3. Volunteers will need to bring their own kitchen sieve and bucket to be able to collect nurdles. All Covid-19 protocols and social distancing is to be observed.”
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