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World Oceans Day: Cornish couple recognised by PM Boris Johnson for cleaning up coastline

A Cornish couple have been awarded a Points of Light award by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in recognition of their dedication to keeping Cornwall鈥檚 coastline pristine.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
Points of Light award winners Steve and Monika

A Cornish couple have been awarded a Points of Light award by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in recognition of their dedication to keeping Cornwall鈥檚 coastline pristine.

Through their organisation 鈥楥lean Ocean Sailing鈥�, Steve Green and Monika Hertlov谩 host eco-sailing expeditions around Cornwall and beyond, raising awareness of pollution in our oceans and helping to clean up our waters by collecting plastic waste from remote areas of coastline.

Along with their team of volunteers, they hold recycling plastic workshops and also provide sailing training, as well as opportunities to join their crew and accompany them on regular clean up expeditions to areas of coastline that are largely inaccessible by foot.

Over the last year, with the help of their 113-year old ship 鈥楢nnette鈥� that they restored 13 years ago, they have continued to run sailing trips where pandemic restrictions have allowed and have retrieved hundreds of kilos of litter from the sea.

In his letter to Steve and Monika, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

I was inspired to learn of your sailing expeditions on your lovingly restored ship 鈥樆使谔逵齛pp Annette鈥� to collect hundreds of kilos of litter.

I am proud that the UK has protected more than 4.3 million square kilometres of the world鈥檚 ocean and I am delighted that you are playing your part in preserving our marine life with your pirate ship patrols.

As we mark World Oceans Day, and look forward to the G7 Summit, let me thank you for your fantastic work to preserve the natural beauty of Cornwall鈥檚 waters and coastline.

皇冠体育app accolade was awarded on World Oceans Day, ahead of the G7 summit being hosted in Cornwall this week which will see the Prime Minister call on international leaders to step up action to tackle climate change and protect our oceans and natural environment.

Today, the UK Government has also announced new plans to increase protections for England鈥檚 marine environments through a pilot scheme to designate sites as 鈥淗ighly Protected Marine Areas鈥�, alongside wider efforts to drive global action to protect our oceans. Under UK leadership, 80 countries have now signed up to an international target to protect at least 30% of the world鈥檚 oceans by 2030.

皇冠体育app Prime Minister鈥檚 UK daily Point of Light award was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference in their communities. To date, 1653 individuals have received awards, ranging from pilots flying oxygen cylinders to India to teachers who set up online lessons during lockdown.

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Published 8 June 2021