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Shark Centre Joins Grade Seven Students at Silvermine River Clean-up

7th February 2012

In recognition of World Wetlands Day on 2 February, Save Our Seas Shark Centre staff joined enthusiastic youngsters from Paul Greyling Primary School and volunteers from Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (FOSNA) to fight local wetlands degradation along the Silvermine River. Ongoing wetland degradation is a world-wide issue, with some scientists believing that up to 50% of all wetlands have been lost over the last century and wetland health has significant implications for marine life.

The Save Our Seas Shark Centre was proud to join these dedicated grade seven students in hauling invasive watercress plants out of the choked up channels and disposing of them. The team then removed a huge amount of litter that had entered the system from a large storm water drain. All of this, while managing gale-force South-East winds and plenty of mud.

In addition to these cleaning and clearing activities, Shark Centre staff discussed the ecological value of wetlands and our role in protecting them. Students were surprised to learn that the litter in the river area was from nearby streets that had made its way into this sensitive ecosystem. Once they had finished clearing the area, the team then headed down to the river mouth, which flows out at the Northern end of Fish Hoek Beach. From here, much more litter was picked up – a well-timed effort because with winter approaching, it was a matter of time before the river mouth opened and the rubbish flowed into the sea.

This was a great awareness-raising experience, with visible benefits to the wetland. Our sincere thanks go out to all those involved, particularly the grade seven students of Paul Greyling Primary School for their excellent effort on World Wetlands Day!

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