Muizenberg, Western Cape

Back in 2015 Dr Aanyiah Martin had an idea to gather the community of ocean lovers to clean up the rocky shore of Surfers Corner in Muizenberg. 

Volunteers heeded the call and arrived. Soon they became known as the Beach Co-op, meeting at each new moon’s low tide to clear the shore of waste. In the process they sparked a citizen science project and is now a 10-year strong initiative with various spin-offs and continued a mission to remind humans why we need the oceans and why oceans need communities that care. 

What was the problem?

Marine litter, and in particular plastics, had become a problem in the well-loved spot of Surfers Corner in Muizenberg. The area was not being cleaned and more litter kept washing up. Beyond the eyesore, there were deepening concerns of what was happening to marine life. Animals and wildlife ingest the plastics or are forced to make it part of their habitat. Volunteers have found anemones growing through plastic bags, for instance. 

There was also a need for more data and information gathering to help researchers better understand the impact of litter on rocky shores, compared to sandy beaches and to have information about a specific location, with that site’s specific currents and drainage features.

How did they fix it?

Martin at the time had stepped back from formal employment to raise her young children. But she still wanted to stay involved with the work on ocean research and conservation. She reached out to old colleagues to understand their needs and concerns and built her initiative around this. 

She put the word out of a new moon, low tide clean-up each month and called for volunteers. “The message was let’s clean this space that we all love together, and let's learn about the animal and plant life that resides here with us,” says Martin.

She adds: “In the first clean-up days we could have 20 big bags of rubbish collected – kilos and kilos of waste. But over time that has dropped off because volunteers are there consistently.”

The waste, along with photos that volunteers were encouraged to take, were handed over to the University of Cape Town to be part of their research studies. From this collaboration the Beach Co-op ended up writing two papers alongside the researchers as a citizen science project.

“It was truly the best of getting communities involved in science. The clean-ups have always been  about finding a sense of belonging, community and a connection or reconnection to nature,” says Martin. 

From the clean-up days, several other projects have emerged over the years. These include a storytelling, trauma healing project, an initiative to teach children from townships to swim safely in the sea and self-led clean-up events.

What makes it work?

• Aligning goals - The beach clean-up idea started with Martin matching her passion to a need. It was to take action to clean up and also to support research and conservation. 

• Connecting over common ground – Surfers Corner is beloved and locals, including Martin, felt strongly about the need to do something for this spot in Muizenberg. Reminding people of the power of giving back for the wildlife and marine ecosystems under threat was a strong connecting  point for many.

• Organising with flexibility in mind  - The clean-ups happen at new moon so it has always been a case of ‘whoever can make it on the day’. This has allowed people to be committed to the cause more than to the group.

• Strong partnerships – Martin partners with a range of stakeholders, including other non-profits, artists and organisations. It’s necessary for funding and resources, also to have wider impact and to keep raising awareness for the oceans. 

• Nurturing spin-offs – The Beach Co-op has had great spin-offs. These have included a citizen science project, community building projects through storytelling and poetry and projects to empower local women and children to be custodians of the beaches and the oceans. 

• Building a good website – A well-maintained website is a place people can get up to date information. It helps raise awareness for their cause, and it inspires people to get involved.

Acknowledgements

Author: FixLocal Reporter

Additional articles/ sources: 

The Beach Co-op website

Photograph: The Beach Co-op