Basket Shark to raise awareness of sea pollution

A large 20-foot model of a basking shark is set to be displayed on Gyllyngvase Beach in Cornwall as part of a creative project to raise awareness about marine pollution. The model is made from sustainable materials such as willow, pallet wood, and bamboo. This initiative is led by Duncan Cameron, a lecturer at Falmouth University. The basking shark sculpture was initially exhibited at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth during the half-term break and will be moved to the beach on June 8 to coincide with World Ocean Day.

The idea behind the project is for the shark to remain on the beach throughout the summer months. Visitors will be encouraged to collect plastic waste they find on the sand and place it inside the shark model. This interactive approach aims to highlight the growing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. After the summer, the sculpture will be returned to the university in the autumn. The project is designed to be carbon-neutral while delivering a powerful message about the dangers of marine pollution.

Several organizations collaborated on this project, including Plastic Free Mylor, the National Maritime Museum, the Shark Trust, and Surfers Against Sewage. These groups worked alongside Mr. Cameron and university students to develop and build the basking shark. Mr. Cameron expressed his satisfaction with the project, emphasizing that it has allowed many voices to be heard on the critical issue of plastic pollution in the sea. He described the project as creative but underscored its importance in sparking a larger conversation about protecting our oceans.