You can help Save a Fishie at beach clean-ups

SAVE A Fishie is leading by example and teaching children about the environment and recycling, as it hosts regular clean-ups on weekends.

Founder Zoe Prinsloo said they recently embarked on their 101st beach clean-up and participants were thrilled to have been part of such a milestone. They helped remove about 10 tons of litter from the environment in five years.

Stella Grey O’Connor, 8, is one of the regular volunteers and is proud to have been offered an opportunity to make a difference in her community.

“It teaches us about recycling and to save the planet. We are saving the sea life. I would advise other children to join these beach clean-ups and it’s a fun thing to do with your family,” she said.

Her mother, Amy O’Connor, added: “Save A Fishie is a very organised and well run programme. I really love that the kids be outside in the fresh air, away from the electronic devices. Zoe has really been doing a good job.”

There are 15 regular children participating and a few volunteers committed in the clean-ups. Upon invitation, the group goes to various communities to help with similar initiatives and to share their story.

Prinsloo, 20, started with her regular clean-up in 2012, but officially launched Save A Fishie in 2017 after she was able to rescue a tiny fish that was stuck in a plastic bag.

On September 17 she marked a 100th clean-up and she was grateful that local businesses and individuals had noticed her contribution and joined her in celebration of the moment, sponsoring the volunteers on the day.

“I’m very proud to have achieved our 100th clean-up as well as passing the 10 ton mark of total litter collected at my clean-ups over the years.

“We had a huge clean-up partnered with Dove Cotton and we got a special cake, the lagoon beach gave boerewors rolls for volunteers, we had music on. I invited some special people who have been supporting us from the beginning like my principal from high school,” she said.

Explaining her perseverance in the project, Prinsloo said: “Because of the state of our lagoon and rivers like the Black River and Liesbeek, Milnerton is a beach that is always in need of cleaning.

“Every single person can make a difference. No matter how old or how small,” she said.

They depend on donations to cover costs and are holding a raffle competition to raise funds. For more information visit the Save A Fishie Facebook page.