At the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT), we believe that protecting our marine environment begins with collective action and community spirit. This week, we were thrilled to join forces with Save a Fishie, Marine Dynamics, and our passionate DEEP Blue Ambassadors for a spontaneous yet impactful harbour cleanup in Gansbaai — reminding us that small actions can create powerful waves of change.
Following an incredible Marine Big 5 eco-tour, the dedicated Save a Fishie team decided to extend their day of ocean appreciation into one of ocean protection by organising a cleanup at the Gansbaai Harbour. 💚
Their call to action drew the attention of three wonderful volunteers from iMed Africa, who saw their post and joined in on the fun — a true testament to how environmental passion inspires connect.
While waiting for our DEEP Blue Ambassadors to arrive, the group quickly realised that the initial cleanup spot was already quite tidy. Rather than stop there, they shifted the effort slightly — to an area opposite the Gansbaai Caravan Park — and that’s where the real work began.
Once the DEEP kids arrived, gloves, bags, and data sheets were handed out, a quick briefing was given, and everyone got to work. 💪 In just one hour, the team collected 14 kilograms of litter — mostly small but incredibly harmful items.
Here’s a glimpse of what they found:
🧃 298 plastic bottle tops
🧩 249 pieces of plastic
🥤 235 straws
🍭 211 lollipop sticks
🪟 141 pieces of glass
🛍️ 139 plastic packets
🍬 124 sweet wrappers
🪥 67 earbud sticks
🚬 53 cigarette butts
🪢 38 pieces of rope
🥤 15 plastic bottles
🥫 12 tin cans
🎣 7 pieces of fishing line
🐦 7 dead animals (rats, birds, and one seal)
👶 2 nappies
Each number tells a story — and together, they highlight the ongoing need to keep our coastal environments clean and safe for both people and wildlife.
After the cleanup, our young DEEP Ambassadors enjoyed a well-earned treat of hotdogs and juice, celebrating their efforts and learning that conservation is not just important — it’s rewarding and fun.
Cleanups like these go beyond collecting rubbish. They’re about education, awareness, and empowerment — helping young people see the impact of pollution firsthand and understand that every piece of litter picked up truly matters.
A heartfelt thank you to Save a Fishie for initiating and leading this wonderful collaboration, and for your unwavering dedication to cleaner oceans. 🌊 We also extend our appreciation to iMed Africa, Marine Dynamics, and everyone who joined in — proving once again that when we work together, meaningful change happens.
The future of our oceans lies in the hands of those we teach and inspire today — and seeing our young changemakers in action gives us so much hope for what’s to come. 💙
