Giant fish in Whitley Bay is made from beach litter

An eyecatching six-foot long cod made from debris found on the coast has been installed on a North East seafront.

North Tyneside Council is hoping to make a splash with the introduction of its new recycling mascot.

Made entirely from litter collected along the North Tyneside coast, the colourful fish sculpture has been installed opposite the Dome, in Whitley Bay, as part of the council’s anti-plastic campaign.

A competition is being held to find a name for the giant cod, who is replacing the now retired Martin the Seal (Image: NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL)

The fish, who does not yet have a name, replaces Martin the Seal, who is going into retirement.

The sculpture is made from various types of beach debris, including plastic bottles, straws, empty food cartons, and plastic bags, all transformed into a remarkable work of art.

The installation will tour the area, visiting six different locations along the North Tyneside coastline, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the impact of plastic pollution.

With the help of community volunteers and local businesses, the council removes thousands of tonnes of rubbish from the beaches each year.

This campaign aims to reduce single-use plastics through various initiatives, such as the installation of drinking fountains along the coast to reduce bottle waste.

Councillor Hannah Johnson, North Tyneside’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, we've been committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

Artists Beth Huttly, left and Amy Welch with their latest creation, a six-foot cod made entirely from litter collected on North Tyneside beaches (Image: NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL)

"This campaign is just one of many projects aimed at creating a more sustainable North Tyneside. Small actions, like reusing bottles, can significantly reduce single-use plastics and their harmful effects on our environment.”

The council hopes the sculpture will spark conversations and inspire residents and visitors to take action towards a cleaner, safer environment.

The piece was created by local artists Beth Huttly and Amy Welch.

Beth said: “We hope this sculpture draws attention to the critical issue of plastic pollution.”

From left, Councillor Hannah Johnson with artists Amy Welch and Beth Huttly posing with the as yet unnamed cod (Image: NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL)

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Encased in a perspex cube and set on a bed of rubbish, the fish will visit six different locations along the North Tyneside coastline.

Later this year, a competition will be held to name the fish, engaging the community further in the fight against plastic waste.

Martin The Seal, also created by Beth and Amy, was first installed in spring 2021 and was used to supplement the council’s other work to tackle litter, including additional large bins along the coast, extra collections, beach wardens, regular litter picks, fixed penalty notices for those found littering and information posters.