SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s Green Sea Turtle has been re-named after pop star turned children’s author, Dougie Poynter, to help inspire the next generation to protect turtles from plastic pollution.
Following the exciting release of his first standalone children’s book, Plastic Sucks!, Dougie became ocean buddies with the Green Sea Turtle and star of the aquarium after hitting it off while researching the impact of plastic on sea life for his new book.
The unlikely friendship inspired the re-naming of the majestic creature and in a bid to encourage efforts to protect similar species living in the wild, a blue plaque in honour of Dougie the Turtle has been installed to help donations to the SEA LIFE Trust’s rescue and rehabilitation programmes around the world.
Dougie Poynter said: “I feel so honoured to have this beautiful turtle named after me. Visiting the amazing sea creatures at the London Aquarium to research my book has been awesome and Dougie the Turtle has become my new favourite ocean buddy.
I hope Plastic Sucks! helps encourage the next generation to think about doing simple things to protect turtles like him from plastic pollution being put into our seas every day.”
Plastic Sucks! was launched at the famous South Bank aquarium on Wednesday 4th September and includes facts and infographics about the harmful effects plastic waste has on the world’s oceans, as well as top tips on how kids and their families can make a difference.
Senior Curator from SEA LIFE London Aquarium, James Robson, and Head of the SEA LIFE Trust, Andy Bool, helped contribute to the issues discussed in Dougie’s book.
Graham McGrath, General Manager at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, said: “It’s been great meeting Dougie. He has a deep passion for protecting our oceans and we’re delighted to be helping him to launch his brilliant book on a subject that is so close to our hearts.
“We hope Dougie the Turtle will inspire kids and their families who visit the aquarium to think about their own plastic consumption and help protect more turtles in the future.”
Visitors can see Dougie the Turtle at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, situated on London’s South Bank, open seven days a week. For the latest opening times, feeding times, prices and more, see http://www.visitsealife.com/london/