Cup sailors join in shoreline clean-up
DOZENS of America's Cup sailors gave up their day off racing to help to clean up two beaches in Plymouth.
The sailors, who spent the weekend battling it out in high-speed races on the Sound in front of tens of thousands of spectators, led the way in an initiative to highlight the threat to marine life.
A group of 23 Year 2 children from St Peter's Roman Catholic primary in Whitleigh helped the sailors to clear the rocks and sand of litter. The children's topic work this year is on oceans, seas and boat design.
"It's really important that the ocean stays clean so animals don't get hurt," said Oliver Chalk, aged six.
Asked if he liked fish, his friend Jake Jack, also six, said: "I like fish fingers."
The America's Cup World Series organisers teamed up with the conservation group Sailors for the Sea and Plymouth marine experts.
They were joined by Dr Sylvia Earle, one of the world's foremost marine conservation experts as they picked up and catalogued litter on Tinside and Coxside beaches.
Dr Earle, an explorer, oceanographer and author, is the former chief scientist for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Speaking outside the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth she said: "Sailors love the sea, but mostly they look at the surface.
"The health of the oceans is in trouble, and if it's in trouble we are in trouble."
She said that with less then five per cent of the ocean floor explored, "the greatest era of exploration is just beginning".
"Here in Plymouth you have one of the world's greatest marine laboratories," she said.
Sally Sharrock, treasurer of the Plymouth branch of the Marine Conservation Society, said the America's Cup World Series was raising the profile of the marine environment.
"I don't think many sailors realise what's underneath their keel," she said. "Plymouth Sound is a very special place."
Dr David Gibson, managing director of the National Marine Aquarium, said: "Beach cleans are something that everyone can do and it really does make a difference."
At a sustainability forum with the America's Cup later, Dr Earle said: "We are at the point where what we do – or fail to do – over the next ten years will have an impact for the next 10,000 years.
She said that the oceans were the world's lungs and provided most of our oxygen.
"We take the ocean for granted but it drives our life support system."
Dr Gibson said that Government action was driven by public demand and lobbying. He and Dr Jason-Hall Spencer from Plymouth University urged the public to campaign for the creation of marine conservation areas around the British coastline.
Plymouth round the world sailor Conrad Humphreys said the city had some of the greatest marine science institutes which dealt with the big issues.
"Where they have struggled is connecting with the public," he said.
8 Comments
by LocalFlyer
Thursday, September 15 2011, 3:45PM
“@ Proudmum0f3 sorry, no problem with what the kids etc are doing - that's great and it IS a great experience for the kids to have the opportunity to meet with the teams etc as payback for their efforts. Nothing wrong either in their learning about the sea / environment. The problem is the way in which the press have portrayed the matter.
Your comment actually explains far better as to what it was all about, and to be honest, without being patronising, maybe the press should have let someone like you write the article. It would have made far more sense without the clap-trap they have written. They have taken what the kids have done and sensationalised the story, but have seeming portrayed Plymouth in a poor light. Poor journalism, but that's common for the Herald.”
by Proudmum0f3
Thursday, September 15 2011, 12:54PM
“Moan Moan Moan!!! The beach clean up actually was done as part of a school project. The kids are learning about beaches, sea life, boats and the environment and this fit in perfectly! St Peters is a very good school and the children take part in all sorts of outdoor activities and this is one of many which they have thoroughly enjoyed.
They got to spend the morning at the beach, they went on one of the boats, got to ask the crew lots of questions and came home with a goody bad. My son took part in this school trip and had a fantastic day!!”
by newjanner
Tuesday, September 13 2011, 9:56PM
“when has yachting, particularly this type of mass hysteria event ever raised the profile of or been beneficial to marine environment? Its more likely to pollute and disturb it with the entourage it draws”
by fancyabrew
Tuesday, September 13 2011, 9:43PM
“Couldn't agree more. What are the council and organisers thinking about letting World class scientists and yachtsmen do anything positive in the city? It goes against the whole Plymouth keeping it cr*p ethos, that the city has been successfully building over the years. And letting them near school kids OMG this is shocking to see, the kids might actually be in danger of leaning something from these people.”
by newjanner
Tuesday, September 13 2011, 9:20PM
“I wonder if they were all crb checked before working with kids.... nope I thought not!”
by LocalFlyer
Tuesday, September 13 2011, 6:26PM
“Oh what 'great promotion' for Plymouth - getting the America's Cup people to help clean up the beaches. For crying out loud, what kind of stupid marketing and promotion gimmick is that for the City!!!!??? What message does that send to the World? You're making Plymouth appear 'Third World', and not the host of such a huge and prestigious event. Amateurish to say the least, and very ill-conceived.
Will The London Authorities get the Olympic Teams go and help clean up around the local area - spend a day out on the dustcarts clearing up etc!!!!???? I think not.”
by MickBarb
Tuesday, September 13 2011, 5:35PM
“Quote- "She said that with less then five per cent of the ocean floor explored"- unquote
I should imagine one patch of submerged sand looks pretty much the same as any other”
by bluebell2
Tuesday, September 13 2011, 5:02PM
“Surely this should have been done before the us cup pcc ought to be ashamed of it self stop posing viv and get plymouth on the map . bluebell”