We are pleased to share that we have recently donated £500 to help Clean Ocean Sailing turn the tide on plastic pollution.
At home in Cornwall, the whole team at Aspects Holidays feels deeply connected to the coast and passionately about protecting the environment. That’s why, upon hearing about the incredible work of Clean Ocean Sailing, our Charity Council came together to provide a £500 donation to support the mission of this volunteer-run group. Taking a hands-on approach to the problem of plastic pollution, Clean Ocean Sailing are dedicated to cleaning the coasts and oceans around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and raising awareness about the ocean crisis.
Completely self-supported, the team behind Clean Ocean Sailing have already collected over 55 tonnes of marine rubbish since they started their mission in 2019. What makes this even more impressive is that they have managed to do so completely sustainably under paddle or sail, navigating the coast and waterways in their beautiful 114-year-old schooner, The Annette. Having already completed successful missions around the South West, their next mission is taking them to the Isles of Scilly.
Speaking about their mission, founders Monika and Steve describe: “8 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans every year, that’s equivalent to one garbage truck of plastic dumping into the ocean every minute. A staggering 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds die every year from plastic pollution – this needs to stop.”
“As part of our latest 2022 project, we are venturing to the Isles of Scilly. Our mission is to collect, record and recycle marine rubbish from the beaches, coves and coastline whilst raising awareness about ocean crisis. We aim to keep the Isles of Scilly and Cornish coast a beautiful paradise.”
In February 2019, Clean Ocean Sailing and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust were able to collect and remove 3.5 tonnes of marine litter, equalling 16,713 individual pieces of plastic. Of these, some of the most common culprits included food wrappers, bottles, straws, fishing gear and single-use bags. This year, they’re hoping to push their total even further by collecting 5.5 tonnes of marine rubbish, including everything from the smallest micro plastics to huge, abandoned fishing nets.
If you would like to keep track of Clean Ocean Sailing and support their fight against ocean plastic, then you can follow them for updates on their Facebook page as well as their website. Donations can also be made here. “With every £10 we will pick up 10 kg of waste and for every £100 we will transport a tonne of marine litter under sail to the recycling centre”.
Images by Tom Young
Tags: Charity | Helford | Helford River | Isles of Scilly |