A giant fish shaped sculpture designed to collect plastic bottles will soon be installed on a beach in Guernsey as part of a creative initiative to tackle ocean pollution and encourage responsible waste disposal. Created by students from The Guernsey Institute, the artwork transforms a simple recycling bin into an eye catching public installation that highlights the growing threat of plastic waste in marine environments.
The metal sculpture features an open mouth where visitors can deposit empty plastic bottles, symbolising the large amounts of plastic that end up in the oceans and are often mistaken for food by marine animals. The exact beach where the sculpture will be installed is yet to be announced.
Student Project Inspired by Child’s Drawing
The project was developed over four months by students Isabella Batiste, Katy Allsopp and Joe Mann. The idea originated from a child’s drawing, which was first converted into a 3D model before being transformed into a full-scale metal sculpture. The team created several prototypes and made design improvements to ensure plastic bottles would remain securely inside the fish.
The sculpture is currently being sent to the UK for galvanisation, a process in which it is coated with zinc to protect it from rust and corrosion, while also strengthening the structure for long-term outdoor use.
The students say the sculpture serves as a visual reminder of the growing impact of plastic pollution on oceans and wildlife. By encouraging beachgoers to feed plastic bottles into the fish instead of leaving them behind, the project aims to reduce litter while educating people about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
The initiative comes as plastic continues to be one of the biggest sources of beach pollution, with conservation groups worldwide urging stronger efforts to reduce plastic waste before it reaches rivers and oceans.