- This initiative promoted by MINAM and Oceana draws attention to contamination by micro plastic particles in the sea and our marine fauna.
- Microplastic containers that simulate “salt shakers” will be in restaurants and supermarket shelves to warn about the polluting effects and to ask for approval and subsequent support for a “Law that regulates the use of plastics”.
Lima October, 2018. In 2025 some 155 million tons of plastics will have been dumped into the ocean; and in 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea, if urgent corrective measures are not taken, specialists warn. For this reason, from civil society and with the support of the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM) and Oceana, an organization dedicated exclusively to the conservation of the oceans, the campaign ” I don’t want this in my ceviche ” was born.
In this regard, the Minister of the Environment, Fabiola Muñoz said that this campaign seeks to raise awareness among the public about the use of plastic and its final disposal. “Many of the waste that reaches the sea is plastic, which is not properly disposed of and has only been used once. Therefore, our call to the population to decide not to use this type of material, “he said.
In addition, he highlighted the support of civil society and the private sector, in this case the chefs, who with their talent highlight Peruvian gastronomy and with their commitment to environmental conservation can also influence consumers through their spaces to promote the reduction of single-use plastic.
The purpose of this initiative is precisely to support the approval of a law that regulates the consumption of single-use plastics in Peru, and in turn, raise awareness among consumers and companies regarding this problem that generates economic damage to the marine ecosystem ascending to at least $ 13 billion each year.
Since ceviche is our flagship dish and fish its main ingredient, it must be taken into account that the microplastic particles, invisible to the human eye, end up in the body of the fish, and this would affect our gastronomy. What is worrying is that the consequences of this contamination on human health are still not precisely known.
“A person can consume up to 14 microplastic particles when drinking a glass of water, this shows that everything we throw into the ocean comes back to us and can reach our table, camouflaged in any sea plate,” warns Juan Carlos Riveros, scientific director of Oceana.
UNITED CHEFS
The creative idea of #NoQuieroEstoeEnMiCeviche has been developed by the McCann Worldgroup agency in collaboration with MINAM and Oceana, whose protagonists are chefs and leading chefs of our gastronomy who will share messages through the campaign’s social networks. Among them are: Mitsuharu Tsumura, from Maido; Israel Laura, from Kañete; Arlette Euler, from Matria; Marilú Madueño, from La Huaca Pucllana; Ronald Abad, of Ronald’s Bars; Shizen’s Mayra Flores; and Betsi Albornoz, from El Populacho. Also joined: Héctor Solís, from Fiesta; José del Castillo de Isolina; Francesco de Sanctis, from Síbaris; Palmiro Ocampo, from Ccori; Fransua Robles, from La Picante; Mariano López, from La Terraza del Pardo; and Luciano Mazetti; among others.
As part of the campaign, nearly 2,000 “salt shakers”, containing microplastics, will be placed on the tables of the different restaurants and on the shelves of the supermarkets with messages about the prompt approval of a law that regulates the use of plastic in the Peru.
Along these lines, the business sector is also a key element in this action, which is why they are expected to join this common cause.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.