To raise awareness of plastic pollution in the ocean, South African swimmer, Sarah Ferguson will attempt to become the first person in the world to swim the perimeter of Easter Island, in the Pacific Ocean, in waters which contains one of the highest concentrations of microplastics in the world.

The Swim Against Plastic: Easter Island campaign is organized by two non-profit organizations, Plastic Oceans International and Breathe Conservation, dedicated to solving the plastic pollution problem. The swim will take place on or after 13 March, depending on the weather. 

Sarah will swim more than 40 miles (65 kilometres) in cold water and dangerous currents and is estimated to take up to 24 hours to complete.

“This is a huge challenge, but my passion for ocean protection and rehabilitation is a strong driving force that fuels this dream,” said Sarah Ferguson, founder of Breathe Conservation.

“It is our responsibility to protect the ocean, and I’m proud to partner with Plastic Oceans International on this campaign to fight the problem of plastic pollution.”

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui by the locals, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be the most remote inhabited island on the planet.

The high levels of microplastics found in its waters originate from sources thousands of kilometres away.

However, on the island itself, 20 tons of rubbish is produced daily leading to waste management issues mainly related to the growing tourism industry.

As part of the campaign, beach clean-ups and education activities will aim to restore the island’s fragile environment.

A series of programs will also be conducted by Plastic Oceans and local residents to determine the specific sources contributing to plastic pollution on the island and work jointly to find solutions. The results and solutions will be shared with the local communities, students and schools, charitable organisations, government officials, and businesses.

Julie Andersen, Global Executive Director, Plastic Oceans International said the planet needs leaders to draw attention to the serious global plastic pollution problem worldwide that is threatening the ocean, our food sources, and the environment.

She added they need to understand the dangers of and change how we think about and use plastic.

“By showing the world that our most valued and remote locations are not immune to plastic pollution, our goal is to inspire people to find solutions and eliminate use of single-use plastics that attribute to the problem.”