Two Oceans Aquarium calls on Capetonians to help clean up Sunset Beach this Mandela Day

CAPE TOWN - The Two Oceans Aquarium is calling on Capetonians to lend a hand this Mandela Day by helping clean up Sunset Beach.

Recent storms and heavy rains have swept litter and plastic from rivers and canals into the ocean, with much of it now washing up along the coastline.

Experts warn that as plastic waste breaks down, it turns into microplastics, making it harder to remove and even more damaging to marine life.

Conservation and sustainability manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium, Hellen Lockhart, said that this was a year-round issue, but winter rains made it worse.

"The winter months, you know, our rivers and canals start flowing and they flow down to the sea, so all rivers lead to the ocean and what happens, obviously, is any waste that is already in the river or on the river edges gets washed down to the seas."