Matt Carr To Paddle Around Entire Island
This weekend, in honour of World Ocean’s Day, Matt Carr will stand-up paddle around Bermuda to raise awareness about plastic pollution, with the public asked to support him by donating to Greenrock.
Mr. Carr said, “The 40 mile circumnavigation will take around 12 hours to complete, and, as a glutton for punishment, I plan to do this without going to land/getting off the board for the duration.
“Having spent heaps of time on the water training, it is impossible to ignore the shocking amount of plastic both floating and washing up on shore. Massive fishing nets, old shoes, buckets, rope, bags, oil and gas containers, the list goes on and on. The UN Secretary-General recently warned that there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050 if the present trends continue.
“What I can’t readily see from my board are the host of other pressures that we exert over our marine environment [sewage outflow, over-fishing of predatory reef species, waterfront development, for example].
“Add to these the pressures coming from outside Bermuda, for example, pollution, industrial over-fishing of pelagic and bait fishes, introduction of invasive species [i.e. lionfish], ocean acidification, and others and it becomes clear that humans pose very formidable threat to the health of our oceans.
“Protection of our marine environment is vital, and one of the ways we can do this is by educating the young people who will be stewards for our marine environment in future.
“Greenrock, a Bermuda registered charity, leads an excellent environmental education program, called Eco-Schools, that involves 22 schools in Bermuda, from the pre-school to College level. Part of this program focuses on the health of our oceans.
“Greenrock also advocates for the reduction of single-use plastic bags [by way of bag tax and other avenues], which, if implemented, may further help our local marine environment.
“Please feel free to contact Greenrock if you want to get more involved, and please also consider making a donation to Greenrock in support of my challenge online.
“Please also consider reducing your personal plastic use by phasing out single-use plastics in your life [for example, using a refillable bottle, asking for no straw at a restaurant, using reusable bags when shopping].”
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Category: All, Environment, News
Good man! I would suggest that Bermudiana go down to Warwick Long Bay and take a large scoop of sand in your hand. Then examine it closely. You will see small plastic particles and small bits of styrofoam. Then think about the nice piece of fish you plan on having for dinner and understand that many fish eat that crap. We need to make THIS plastic situation a priority, not impose a sugar tax that is only designed to allow the government to spend spend spend….again.
Good for you Mr. Carr.
You are bringing attention to a major issue in Bermuda and around the world- how we treat our Ocean’s is a reflection of who we are as a community.
In Bermuda we don’t discuss pumping raw sewage into our ocean, over fishing, or waterfront development as it may interfere with our love of money.
Thank you for your amazing effort to support the important work of Greenrock’s Eco-Schools.
And a lot of that stuff washes up from East Atlantic and USA.
Don’t be silly people.
Let’s make it ALL. In other words we need to stop contributing. Any problem with that?
Good for you Mr. Carr set the example we all need to do our bit.
For an island nation that imports practically everything, we could be making international headlines news for all the RIGHT reasons for a change. Ban all those one-use convenience items we consume daily – plastic plates, bowls, cups, utensils, straws and even plastic water bottles. End-to-End event should plan on using hydration water backpacks (like Camelbaks) instead of handing out tiny 2-sip water bottles and plastic chip bags.
Lots we could do. Doubt we will. Too inconvenient to change our habits. Sorry ocean, you’ll have to wait for another country to set the pace of change.