SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium calls for volunteers to help clean Mission Bay Beach

Folllowing World Oceans Day on Tuesday 8th June, a group of Auckland (Ōrākei) businesses and community groups led by the Mission Bay Business Association and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium are setting out to clean up Auckland's Mission Bay Beach on Sunday 20th June.

The local community is being asked to join in and lend a hand with volunteers to gather at Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay, between 1pm – 3pm to clear rubbish from the reserve and beach using the gloves and bags provided.

Not only is the litter washing up on local shores an unpleasant sight; it also harms and kills marine wildlife. According to Ocean Crusaders, it is believed there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in our oceans causing over 100,000 marine mammals to die globally each year. Turtles, whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea birds are particularly susceptible to plastic pollution.

Participants are also invited to take part in a free beach yoga session from 3pm – 4pm, while Children will be treated to face painting throughout the afternoon.

Mark Goldstine, Mission Bay Business Association advises “our aim is to encourage the local community to come together in a joint effort to help enact positive change by limiting the amount of harmful litter that ends up in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. We are uniting with the Ōrākei Local Board and the local community to help make a real difference ahead of World Ocean’s Day.”

For those keen to learn more about how they can help protect Mission Bay and the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s team members will be available to discuss the pressures the marine park faces and the successful sea turtle rehabilitation programme.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: Mission Bay Community Beach Clean

Where: Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay Beach

When: Sunday 20th June 2021

Hours: 1pm – 3pm beach clean & face painting, 3pm – 4pm beach yoga session 

Cost: free

Further information: www.visitsealife.com/auckland/information/news/mission-bay-beach-clean/