Grade five pupils Sasha Carter, Latoya Folima and Memphis Kelly, together with grade six pupil Maya Fary, have launched their science project looking at human impact on the marine environment.

The group, known as Miracle Marine Lifesavers, want the community to think about the impact of litter on the ocean.

“People leave rubbish and it breaks down into small bits and the animals eat it,” Maya said.

“Some birds can die when they eat too much.”

Latoya said the group had made posters which they would distribute around the city and the school.

“We want people to think about what they’re doing with rubbish and change it,” she said.

Sasha and Memphis said people often thought the rubbish would disappear but it never did and instead continued to break down.