'Waste warrior' sculpture arrives in Poole

A new waste warrior fish sculpture designed to highlight the harm caused by marine plastic has arrived in Poole.

The installation follows the success of Nellie the fish, who visited Bournemouth’s Pier Approach in July 2020.

The six-metre centrepiece collected plastic bottles and metal cans as part of a month-long visit to highlight the problems caused by throw away waste, in particular when plastic waste reaches our oceans.

After Nellie moved on to spread the message elsewhere, local environmental fund We have the POWER joined forces with the Final Straw Foundation to launch a JustGiving campaign to fund a bespoke waste warrior fish for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Thanks to the generosity of local donors including Plastic Free Bournemouth, plus support from LUSH and Saffery Champness LLP accountants, funds were soon raised and Sailboat Trailers in Emsworth were commissioned to make a new metal fish specifically for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Just like the original, the new fish is made entirely from scrap metal including warehouse clothing cages and vehicle parts. The specially tailored design is mobile, enabling it to move around the area spreading the Reuse, Refill and Reduce message.

The new structure is being adopted as part of the Leave Only Footprints campaign to engage with residents, visitors, businesses and the wider community to help protect the local environment and reduce waste, litter and pollution.

Julia Davies, founder of We Have the POWER, said: “Nellie the fish was a great success last July, providing a visual centrepiece for our campaign to tackle beach litter and reduce single use waste. We are delighted that local businesses and supporters have rallied around to secure our very own waste warrior fish for the area.

"These are meaningful steps to reduce the tonnes of rubbish blighting our beaches and green spaces by promoting Reuse, Refill and Reduce, rather than single use and throw away.

"We urgently need to tackle the huge increase in throwaway plastic and other single use items from our beachside bars and cafes. To have the likes of LUSH and Saffery Champness recognise the importance of reuse and refill over single use waste is inspiring. We now need to make the most of this opportunity to encourage everyone to bring their own refillable water bottles and cups on trips to our beaches and parks.”

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s newest resident is still in need of a name. Residents, visitors and members of the public can send in their suggestions by clicking here by 30 April and the new name will be announced in May.