PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bitou youngsters have been given the opportunity to name Plettenberg Bay's rubbish-gobbling whale sculpture. Not only will the winner get bragging rights for naming it, but a free boat trip is also on the line.
The Nature's Valley Trust has appealed youngsters between the ages of 8 and 18 to help name the sculpture, which was recently assembled on the town's Central Beach.
Carefully crafted by local artist Derek Saul, the sculpture was made to increase awareness of the global issue of plastic pollution and marine litter problems by providing a practical solution.
It is made of galvanised steel, recycled tyres, a range of marine debris such as lobster traps, and fishing-related items like rope and netting, and it houses a wheelie dustbin that can be removed for emptying.
The sculpture stands almost 2,6m tall and roughly 1,8m wide and sits on a "selfie" bench on the walkway to the popular beach. If one looks into the sculpture, you will also find elements of common plastic items that pollute the waters, other marine debris, and fish traps from the sea.
The project formed part of the Nature's Valley Trust small grants programme and was started by local Fran Molloy. Molloy and Saul have created something not only beautiful to behold but thought-provoking and functional for the community.
This sculpture offers a practical solution to dumping waste on the coastline in an interactive way that educates people on plastic pollution. The visceral act of putting "trash" into a whale's mouth really drives the message home.
To enter, participants can send their choice of name, school and contact details via the NVT Facebook messenger, or e-mail info@naturesvalleytrust.co.za. Alternatively, you can phone 044 531 6820 and leave your name, school, contact details and suggested name of the sculpture.
The closing date for the competition is 25 August. The winner will be chosen by a selected panel and notified by 27 August. The winner will also be announced through the NVT Facebook and Instagram pages along with the newly selected name.
Up for grabs is a free boat trip with Ocean Blue Adventures for one child and one adult guardian.
'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'
