SHELLFISHING WITHOUT LITTER CAMPAIGN

Tackles the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean and aims to raise awareness among razor-clams harvesters to avoid discarding the empty plastic salt containers in the estuary after gathering the razor clams. 

Shellfishing WITHOUT litter is a campaign to raise awareness among razor-shell harvesters to encourage them to avoid discarding the plastic at the sea It has 3 pillars: direct sensitization actions carried out by the network of Keepers of the Sea (women from the fishing community educated as awareness-raising agents); beach-cleaning actions with volunteers in the Sado Estuary, and a network of local stakeholders that implement solutions to tackle the problem of plastic in the ocean.

Our Shellfishing WITHOUT Litter campaign is one of the voluntary commitments registered at the UN Oceans Conference (#OceanAction15410) towards fulfilling SDG 14  -  Conserve and sustainably use the oceans. Since we began the campaign, in March 2016, we have cleaned the coastal margins of the Sado Estuary every month together with volunteers from Sado’s community, schools and companies. 

Our Shellfishing WITHOUT Litter campaign has Oceano Azul Foundation, Oceanário de Lisboa and the Oak Foundation as its structural partners. Thanks to their funding, we implemented the first major beach-cleaning campaigns and a pilot capacity-building activities that provided complimentary income to the women of the fishing community who act as awareness-raising agents. Nowadays the beach cleaning, awaereness and community engagement are sponsored by donations and funding from enterprises.

The stories we’re changing

WHAT OUR AWARENESS-RAISING AGENTS SAY.

“Whenever I went to the sea, I used to take a water bottle with me and did not bring it back, today, if I find one, I bring it back. I see that other people here are doing the same.” Fátima Ricardo, Fisherwoman from Carrasqueira.

“Before, whenever we used to clean fishing nets after going fishing, we would throw the trash into the water. We don’t do that anymore; we keep it in a small bag and we bring it back. People are getting closer to the environment. I can see that even when someone finds trash on the ground they pick it up.” Helena Bacalhau, Fisherwoman from Carrasqueira. 

“When I was little we used to live in a shack by the estuary margins and we threw the litter produced at home into the river. I am a shellfish gatherer and I used to leave behind the empty plastic containers [at the beach]. Today I am a Keeper of the Sea and an awareness-raising agent; we are changing people’s mentalities.” Marta Dias, professional shellfish gatherer

“I am more aware of the problem of plastic in the ocean and I feel that I am responsible for helping change other people’s behaviour.” Dina Santos, Aquaculture keeper

“I knew that the litter would affect the sea. With Ocean Alive, I got to know about the effects of litter on marine life and, whenever I speak of this to my colleagues, I manage to sensitize them [to this problem]. Those who love me are proud of me, and I think I am an example different to people of my age.” Inês Santos, student