The European Commission is calling all aquariums to educate visitors on the global reality of marine litter in a ‘World Aquariums against Marine Litter’ campaign.
Aimed at providing practical solutions, this campaign hopes to bring the issue of marine litter to the attention of thousands of people across the globe.
Steve Matchett, General Manager at Newquay Aquarium said: “It’s a good opportunity for us to engage with our visitors who have enjoyed the marine life in the aquarium and to highlight the impact that we have on the marine environment through thoughtless pollution.”
Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium has currently turned one of its exhibit spaces into a marine litter display. The display is designed to highlight how visitors can help mitigate the problem of ocean-bound plastic.
Marine pollution is one of the key topics being discussed by global leaders at the #OurOcean international Conference, Malta, 5-6 October 2017.
Millions of tons of litter accumulate in the ocean and millions of marine animals die every year because of marine litter. In some areas, micro plastics already outnumber plankton by six to one. It is estimated that by 2050 our seas could contain more plastic than fish and 99% of seabirds could have ingested plastic.
This action will be officially launched by EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella on Thursday 27 July at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II.
For more information about this issue and to find out how to help please visit www.ourocean2017.org
Issued by Blue Reef Aquarium. For more information and to arrange interviews and picture/filming opportunities please contact Melissa Hallam on 01637 878134.
