The Two Oceans Aquarium Trash Bash team recently joined forces with Save A Fishie for their last beach clean-up of 2024. This was a chance for locals to dive into the festive spirit and celebrate the season of giving by lending a hand in cleaning up Lagoon Beach in Milnerton – collecting over 180kg of beach trash.

“Finishing the year off with this collaboration for the ocean was an exciting opportunity for our team. As always, we look forward to working with the Cape Town community to continue raising awareness of the impact plastic pollution has on our ocean,” said Phumza Jongihlathi, the Two Oceans Aquarium community relationship co-ordinator.

Save A Fishie and the Two Oceans Aquarium will continue hosting regular community beach clean-ups in 2025, and invite locals to join.

Why join a beach clean-up?

Taking part in a beach clean-up is a great opportunity to pause and reflect amid the December rush, take action for the ocean, and teach kids about their marine environment, all while having fun on the beach.

“Beach clean-ups like the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Trash Bash events are a vital way for individuals to make a difference by preventing plastic and other trash from being deposited in the ocean. Cleaning a beach is one of many easy and fun ways to contribute to a healthy environment. It is also an opportunity to connect with nature,” said Helen Lockhart, conservation and sustainability manager for the Two Oceans Aquarium.

A first defence against plastic pollution in our oceans is to make more conscious decisions around everyday plastic use, she added. This can be as simple as passing on balloons, refusing plastic straws or lids, and saying no to single-use plastic bags.

This festive season, too, think twice when considering your table settings, gifts, or food choices. Some easy-to-implement suggestions are to reuse or repurpose wrapping paper and gift bags, decorate an Indigenous tree for your home, choose cloth over paper serviettes, or buy local gifts for loved ones.