History

19 years ago the USA based Centre for Marine Conservation initiated the International Coastal Cleanup, it started small and has grown to such an extent that in 2006 there were 500 000 volunteers participating and combined they removed 8 million tones of human generated trash from 40 000 Km’s of coastline world wide.

In Kwa Zulu Natal we joined the International Coastal Cleanup for the first time in 1996. This was regarded as a pilot project, with 460 people removing 9 tones of litter from 33Km’s of beach and included 5 divers who collected 7 kg’s of litter from our reefs. 

The 2007 Cleanup Objectives Kwa Zulu Natal

Our aim for the 2007 cleanup was to have close to full coverage of our 620Km’s of coastline, to clean some of our reefs and estuaries and to encourage the participation of inland towns in the cleanup.

This was set in motion by mobilizing our KZN Wildlife staff and honorary officers, each staff member set up a network of volunteers to cover the stretch of coast and district for which he is responsible for. The volunteers included schools, individual citizens, religious groups, businesses and many others.

The enthusiasm and support was fantastic and our KwaZulu Natal effort was backed by the efficient organization and administration of the Centre for Marine Conservation in the USA.

2007 Results

Inland Cleanup

 Umlazi K Section

 The community of Umlazi K section focused there efforts on a local river within the area.
 
 Number of volunteers:  44
 Distance Cleaned  4km’s
 Estimated Kg’s   8 000kg’s

 Underberg District

Southern Berg Honorary Officers and volunteers focused there efforts within  the Umzimkhulu,  catchment.

 Number Volunteers:  150
 Distance Cleaned:  2 Km’s river courses
400 Ha farm land.

 Estimated Kg’s   1 500Kg’s

  Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve / Yellow Wood Park
 
EKZN Wildlife Honorary Officers  cleaned the little Umhlatuzane river running through the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve.

Number Volunteers:  7
Distance Covered:  2Km’s
Bags Of Litter Collected: 22
Estimated Kg’s   120 Kg’s

Coastal Cleanup

 Beach

The cleanup focused on the entire coastline from Port Edward in the south to Kosi Bay in the north and included some of the major estuaries (Umkomaas, Umgeni, Amatikulu,
 St Lucia)

Number Volunteers:  7 691
Distance Covered:    4 80 Km’s Beach
28 Km’s Estuaries & River

Bags Of Litter Collected: 6 195 
Estimated Kg’s   34 539 Kg’s

 Underwater

EKZN Wildlife and Local Dive boats  focused their cleanup efforts on the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected area and  the Vetchies Pier area off Durban.

Number Dive Volunteers: 30
Distance Covered: 2 km
Bags Of Litter Collected: 16
Estimated Kg’s 15 Kg’s (sinkers & fishing line)

Data Collected

The data collected by you is forwarded to the USA to form part of a global data base used as an educational tool for heightening public and large corporate business awareness and hopefully thereby modifying the inappropriate behavior that causes this pollution.

Currently the database represents over 100 million pieces of data collected from 100 countries over a 20 year period.

 Debris Producing Activities and Sources

The coastal cleanup is focused on grouping debris items, to examine the sources, behaviors and activities that produce the majority of the debris.

60 % of the litter collected fell into the shoreline/Recreational activities category, with plastic being the main component. This was followed by the Ocean/River category with 20% of litter falling into this area. The effects of plastic and fishing line on the marine environment is horrific and continues to cause extensive damage to reefs and intertidal areas and kills many marine animals such as birds, dolphins, seals and turtles.

Unusual Items Collected

Some of the unusual items collected by volunteers included:

• Front bumper of car
• Bullets in a magazine & 80 lose rounds
• 25lt Drum of chemicals
• Human Body
• Turtle egg shells
• Dead turtle
• Dead duiker
• Gas cylinder

 2007 Achievements

The International Coastal Cleanup has become one of the largest volunteer efforts on behalf of the marine environment in this Province. This year 8 855 dedicated volunteers participated and our marine environment is cleaner by having 26 031 Kg’s of litter removed from our beaches, reefs, estuaries, streams, rivers and catchments.

Number Volunteers:   7 878
Distance Covered:
  Coast   480 Km’s
  Estuaries/ Rivers 20 Km’s
  Underwater  2 Km  
  Inland   400 Ha
Bags Of Litter Collected:  6 233  
Estimated Kg’s:    44 174    

Corporate Sponsors

KZN Wildlife acknowledges with enormous appreciation the support of the following sponsors, without whom the coastal cleanup would not be possible:

ABI - Coca Cola, Sappi, Toyota SA, Richards Bay Minerals, Enviromark – Plastics Federation