Every year, the team at Robben Island Museum (RIM) rolls up their sleeves to clean up the coastline to protect the island’s fragile marine ecosystem.
As a Marine Protected Area located just off one of Africa’s busiest harbours, the Port of Cape Town, Robben Island faces constant pressure from human activity. Fishing and recreational boating in the surrounding waters often lead to marine pollution. Litter and debris drift through the currents and eventually wash ashore, fragmenting sensitive ecological systems.
In keeping with this year’s World Environment Day theme of “Ending Plastic Pollution”, we look at how Robben Island is making a sustainable impact to protect the oceans and marine life.
Combatting Plastic Pollution
Robben Island is a breeding ground for seabirds, including the critically endangered African Penguin and the Bank Cormorant. Marine litter, especially plastic, not only disrupts their habitat but also causes entanglement, injury, and even death among many species that call this UNESCO World Heritage Site home. Prevailing extreme winds and sea currents also exacerbate the site’s exposure to marine pollution. That’s where the coastal clean-up comes in. Each year, RIM staff, scholars, and community volunteers pick up debris in a bid to eliminate plastic pollution.
According to RIM, these efforts result in more than 1000 bags of litter being collected in a single clean-up. RIM said in a statement that these coastal clean-up initiatives not only preserve the Island’s rich history but also serve as educational platforms to raise awareness among the participants about the impacts of waste on marine ecosystems. “Marine litter is identified as a global environmental threat, therefore, involving surrounding communities is a way of promoting environmental stewardship that contributes to global environmental efforts.”
Get Involved
RIM also conducts adhoc clean-ups when necessary and is also open to partners or organisations who may want to dedicate their time and conduct a costal clean up on the island.
For further information, visit Robben Island’s website.
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