The Milford Haven Waterway has been a longstanding safe Haven in Pembrokeshire. From large tankers bringing in 30% of the UK’s trade in oil and gas, to kayakers enjoying the sunshine and fishermen bringing in their haul, many things pass through the waterway on a day to day basis. There are also plenty of things in and above the water that thrive in this environment. Grey seals, otters, crabs, fish, seagulls, coral, jellyfish, starfish, plankton, the list goes on and on.

It is incredible that Pembrokeshire’s seas and the Milford Haven estuary are able to house such a vast array of nature and wildlife, and it is no wonder that we are in a Special Area of Conservation. However, there is a very real threat already taking hold.

Plastic pollution is a very serious issue, not only on land but in the seas as well. Take a look at this video showing the impacts of this global issue in our own home county: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnMe1UqJZiI.

You might have seen in the news or on social media that Bertie the Sea Bass, a fourteen by seven foot sculpture, is currently visiting Milford Waterfront. He was created by local sculptor Gideon Petersen as part of a ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ project, which was led by Amroth and Saundersfoot Community Councils, with support from Arwain Sir Benfro, PLANED and Valero. He has been touring Pembrokeshire, and at the minute is on the Mackerel Quay in Milford Waterfront.

The Port of Milford Haven is a founding member of the Wales Clean Seas Partnership, and has made the United Nations Clean Seas Pledge.  We have a commitment to turn the tide on plastic, and therefore it was fitting for us to host Bertie. As part of our mission to spread the message on plastic pollution, we collaborated with some local schools, utilising Bertie to help solidify the message on the importance of proper recycling. The Port worked with the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer, Sue Burton, to create an education pack that was then sent to classes that were coming to visit Bertie.

Around 70 schoolchildren, from three local primary schools participated in this project.

Some of the hard-hitting facts that the children learned were:

  • Globally we use over 300 million tonnes of new plastic each year
  • Half of the plastic we use, we use just once and usually for less than 12 minutes
  • Only a third of plastics products are recovered for reuse and recycling
  • 8 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the ocean
  • By 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight
  • 80% of marine plastic comes from land, and 20% from sea
  • Over 600 species of marine life are known to suffer directly from plastic pollution
  • Over 90% of seabirds worldwide have plastic pieces in their stomachs

In fact, the Gannets on Grassholm are a prime example of the effects that plastic waste has on local wildlife. Take a look at this video from Sky News showing RSPB conservationists mounting a rescue mission to save birds trapped in plastic. Image: Drew Buckley, taken from this article.

As well as the Gannets, here are some pictures taken locally by Skomer MCZ NRW and Jane Matthews WTSWW showing the damage that plastic can have on our famous population of grey seals.    

     

    

                           

 

 

 

So, what can we do to help?

  • Don't drop your litter! Bin it, or ideally recycle it.
  • Buy less bottled drinks. Have your own personal drink bottle and refill and reuse it.
  • Say ‘no’ to single-use plastic straws. If you want a straw, ask for a reusable or paper one.
  • Don't flush rubbish, such as cotton bud sticks, down the toilet - it could end up on the beach or in the sea, where it can harm wildlife.
  • Reduce the amount of rubbish you produce. Every week 150 million new plastic bags are used, and thrown away, in the UK. This is the same as every single person using more than 290 bags each year!  Get a “bag for life” and reuse it.
  • Get involved in beach cleans! Here are some useful links:

o   https://www.keepwalestidy.cymru/Pages/Events/Category/events

o   https://www.sas.org.uk/region/wales/

Another thing you can do to help spread the message on plastic pollution is to go and visit Bertie the Sea Bass whilst he is down on the marina, and take a selfie with him. Share with the #CleanSeas and #loveMW.

If you know of any other schools that you think should get involved, then please contact kailea.turner@mhpa.co.uk. Also, be sure to check out these eye opening videos:

https://bit.ly/2TCHHEO

https://www.facebook.com/john.thet.5/videos/10156225233555197/