Categories: Focus

Mermaids mark World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day was celebrated on Thursday in Bridgetown with mermaids from Mermaid Barbados going to the Chamberlain Bridge to promote this year’s theme, Our Oceans, Our Future.

Marine biologist Nikola Simpson, who led the event with Mermaid Barbados, told Barbados TODAY that World Oceans Day was about celebrating the ocean.

Marine biologist Nikola Simpson

“Oceans are so important to us. Every breath that you take, you have to thank little marine plants. The ocean is important to our fisheries as well as our tourism,” she said, adding that it was unfortunate that important body of water continues to face so many threats.

“As mermaids, we call ourselves ocean ambassadors and we encourage persons to protect the ocean. One of our major threats is plastic pollution and now there is a national campaign in Barbados to reduce plastics,” said Simpson, referring to the June 1 implementation of a 15-cent per plastic bag fee which retailers and the Future Centre Trust agreed on.

This year’s conservation action focuses on encouraging solutions to the plastic pollution problem and preventing marine litter for a healthier ocean and a better future.

“Use less plastic bags, use reusable bags, skip the straws, and use stainless steel bottles to cut down on the amount of plastics used in our island,” Simpson urged Barbadians.

From left: Marine biologist Nikola Simpson with the Emerald Models. Inset, Gabrielle Bradshaw with Simpson.
Barbados Today

Barbados Today is the leading news service in Barbados. Founded in January 2010, with the mission to keep you informed, we aim to share news on matters of national interest, raise the level of public debate and help our readers make informed decisions in their daily lives. We do this by building confidence in our content through consistency. We strive for accuracy, accountability and maturity in our reporting at all times.

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  • I get my bread in a plastic bag. I get take-away in a plastic bag. I buy a six pack if soft drinks in a plastic wrapping that kills more turtles and fish than plastic bags . Educate the people. teach them the correct way to dispose of these things from Kindergarten so it grows in them. Do the right Kammie Holder, which is the smart thing. A little girl told me " de man who sound like he gay, say to kill plastic bag. he promoting murder." I told her uncle Stedson Wiltshire should sue because I think he has that name registered as a brand.

  • I get my bread in a plastic bag. I get take-away in a plastic bag. I buy a six pack if soft drinks in a plastic wrapping that kills more turtles and fish than plastic bags . Educate the people. teach them the correct way to dispose of these things from Kindergarten so it grows in them. Do the right Kammie Holder, which is the smart thing. A little girl told me " de man who sound like he gay, say to kill plastic bag. he promoting murder." I told her uncle Stedson Wiltshire should sue because I think he has that name registered as a brand.

  • Barbados National Trust, You can hire them to swim around Barbados and collect plastic bags and save the turtles and us.

  • Barbados National Trust, You can hire them to swim around Barbados and collect plastic bags and save the turtles and us.

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