BOURNEMOUTH seafront is preparing for its latest feature – a six-metre-long metal fish shaped sculpture aimed to tackle beach littering and the harm single-use waste has on the environment.

The structure’s application had previously been refused prior to the pandemic due to the number of events planned to be held on Bournemouth beach during the summer.

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However, in light of events being cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak and the rise in beach litter in recent weeks, the council has since reversed its decision.

A BCP Council spokesperson: “We are committed to protecting the environment and keeping our beaches clean.

“We were first made aware of Nellie the Recycling Fish before the Covid-19 crisis, and at the time were unable to accommodate this due to the numerous beach events taking place.

“The current situation has meant that these events have had to be cancelled, and we are now in a situation where we are able to welcome Nellie the Fish to Bournemouth.”

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This comes a week after BCP Council told the Daily Echo an estimated 20 tonnes of litter was removed by its seafront teams on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31.

The two-metre-high recycling fish structure, made with reclaimed metals by Sailboat Trailers in Emsworth, is due to come to Bournemouth seafront in July.

Similar structures have been installed in the Solent area, thanks to the Portsmouth City Council High Street Community Clean Up Fund and the FatFace Foundation.

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The metal sculpture bin, a product of Hampshire based charity The Final Straw Solent, has been lent it to We Are The POWER, an environmental trust whose mission is is to Protect our World – Educate, Restore (POWER).

The structure is usually transported around the area as part of festivals and events with an aim to raise awareness of the sheer volume of disposable plastic bottles use by the public.

Its arrival has already received the support of local schools including Glenmoor and Winton Academies.

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Teacher Katie Payne and her students plan to produce posters, signs and artwork to educate about the issue of beach litter and recycling from a young person’s perspective.
 

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Environmental group We Have The POWER initiated the Nellie campaign and founder Julia Davies said: “We are delighted that BCP Council have agreed to welcome Nellie this July.

“We look forward to working with the council on displaying signs and artwork created by local school children along our beaches to help educate about the harm litter causes to wildlife and our community.“Nellie gives us the chance to catch people’s attention – and the children’s messages will hopefully be difficult to resist.”