One of the more serious waste products that end up in the ocean are plastic bags due to the serious harm it causes marine creatures.
“It is important that all citizens do their part to protect the ocean that surrounds them,” said Gordon Slade, Chair and Ocean Advisor for the Shorefast Foundation. “The waters surrounding Fogo Island are home to the healthiest fish and shellfish in the world, a wide range of mammals and one of the most significant seabird populations in the North Atlantic. We all have an obligation to project our oceans for future generations.”
One of the initiatives of the Shorefast Foundation Ocean Ethic Program is the elimination of plastic bags. Therefore, in cooperation with the Town of Fogo Island, they are pleased to support Dawe’s Store in Seldom as the business phases out plastic shopping bags.
“It’s an attempt to reduce the number of plastic bags being used and going out into the environment. We’re going to try with some free cloth bags and see how that works and hopefully eliminate the plastic bags,” Dawe said.
Slade, Dawe and Dr. Bill Monteveki had discussed the elimination of plastic shopping bags two years ago during World Oceans Day events on Fogo Island.
“During conversation I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be a great idea to get rid of plastic bags? They do end up in the ocean. We talked a little more and I said I would be willing to try it and see if it works.’” Dawe said.
Beginning Oct. 1 Gary Dawe and the staff will offer cloth bags as an alternative to plastic bags. The Town of Fogo Island is supporting the initiative to eliminate plastic bags and Mayor Andrew Shea is hopeful other businesses will get on board to make the switch to help Fogo Island become a model for other communities.