THE HAMPSHIRE based environmentalist group behind the large metal fish sculpture located on Bournemouth Pier Approach last month are fundraising for a permanent installation.

Nellie the fish left her post near Bournemouth beach having collected 3,500 litres of plastics bottles and cans during the month of July - approximately half a tonne in weight.

However, Final Straw Solent, in conjunction with environmental groups We Have The POWER and Leave Only Footprints, are campaigning to raise money for a permanent sculpture to be made for the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

Co-founder of Final Straw Solent Bianca Jayne said: “We need to move away from this single use plastic culture and move to more useful sustainable products.

“The new Nellie will provide a good visual representation of what is happening to our oceans and the creatures that live in it.

“The art installation was really well received when it was on Bournemouth Pier and we got a lot of positive feedback, especially from the council who have given us permission to install a permanent structure if we can raise the money for it.”

The six-metre-long metal fish shaped sculpture aimed to tackle beach littering and the harm single-use waste has on the environment.

Final Straw Solent are looking to raise funds to cover the cost of a new metal fish sculpture, to be made by Sailboat Trailers in Emsworth from reclaimed scrap metal.

Bianca added: “We are looking to raise £5,000 to pay for the sculpture, but any extra money will go towards building another Nellie.

“Our vision is to have a shoal of fish dotted along the south coast not only to raise awareness of litter and single use plastics, but to also create an kind of arts trails that people can visit.”

The campaign has received support from not only BCP Council, but the Oceanarium and Bournemouth University who have said they will help promote the movement on social media.

During its time on Bournemouth Pier Approach, BCP Council also ran a competition for local children to create posters and signs to highlight and educate the public about littering and the harm it can have on both the community and wildlife.

Entries came from across the region and the winning designs, Primary School winner Coral from Manorside Academy, Secondary School winner Kye P from Grange School and Post 16years Ellen B who each won a £50 voucher for art and craft supplies, have been turned into signs and will be displayed locally.

Cllr Dr Felicity Rice, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “It has been great to see Nellie on the beach, the installation has certainly been a positive, educational talking point, as well as a chance to talk about the amount of packaging we use.”

To donate to the crowdfunding campaign, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bcp-recycling-fish-sculpture?utm_term=p422ZPbYx