The world’s first marine cemetery, made out of single-use plastic bottles, has opened its gate at Beypore Beach in Kerala, India to commemorate World Wildlife Conservation Day.

Marine Cemetery, which pays respect to eight critically endangered marine species, hopes to bring awareness to the devastating effects of single-use plastic, urban and industrial pollution, and overfishing. It was built by Jellyfish Watersports, with the support of Clean Beach Mission, District Administration, Kozhikode and Beypore Port department, and driven by climate activist Aakash Ranison.

The marine species representing their endangered marine family include Seahorse (Hippocampus), Parrotfish (Scariidae) and Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), among others.

According to the report, the amount of plastic we have generated on the earth is enough to create a walkway to another planet.

• India generates 25,940 tonnes of waste every day
• 6.4 million tonnes of marine litter is disposed into our seas annually
• 50% of beach litter is plastic waste threatening our marine life

Water and plastic pollution along with overexploitation and climate change have caused the extinction of 15 marine species, and currently, threaten the lives of 700 more.

“A reminder of the destruction that we are bringing upon our planet”

“The Marine Cemetery is a reminder of the destruction that we are bringing upon our planet in the name of convenience. So, we are supporting and promoting this initiative as part of Clean Beach Mission to spread awareness, as it not only educates locals and the world about the effects of single-use plastic, but it will also help Kozhikode become a sustainable travel destination,” said S. Sambasiva Rao, district collector at Kozhikode.