After spending years cleaning up beaches, young environmentalist Zoë Prinsloo of Save A Fishie finally saw her efforts recognised — earning the bronze award in the Eco-Angel category at this year’s Eco-Logic Awards held at the Two Oceans Aquarium recently.
Having been nominated for three consecutive years, the moment her name was called was one of immense pride and gratitude. “It was a true honour to hear my name announced as a bronze winner,” said Zoë (22).
“Being among so many incredible eco-warriors was an unforgettable and proud moment, both for Save A Fishie and for me personally.”
Zoë’s love for ocean conservation began early. At just 10 years old, she joined her first beach clean-up with her Girl Guides group and was shocked by the amount of litter on the sand.
“That day I realised I could help,” she recalled. “Then I saw the viral video of the turtle with a straw in its nose — it broke my heart. From that moment, I knew I had to do something.”
Since founding Save A Fishie at 16, Zoë has grown the project into a nationwide movement. To date, the organisation has hosted over 470 clean-ups, covering 115 beaches and removing more than 50 tonnes of litter from coastlines, rivers, and communities.
Fashion meets purpose
Zoë made a splash at the awards ceremony in a skirt made entirely from plastic lollipop sticks collected during clean-ups — part of her ongoing campaign to ban plastic-stemmed lollipop sticks.
“My outfit was a creative extension of that campaign,” she explained. “The skirt was made from plastic lollipop and earbud sticks tied together with thrifted string and beads, and my earrings even had a QR code linking to the petition. People could literally scan them to sign!”
The concept drew admiration for its clever blend of activism, fashion, and awareness-raising.
Inspiring the next generation
Despite the challenges of driving policy change and persuading manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives, Zoë remains optimistic. “It’s not always easy — it takes time and collaboration — but every step forward matters,” she said.
Her message to other young environmentalists is simple yet powerful: “Stay true to your passion and don’t give up. Every piece of litter picked up and every mindset changed makes a difference.”
Looking ahead, Save A Fishie is gearing up for its next major milestone — collecting 75 tonnes of litter — along with new fundraisers, educational events, and the upcoming ‘Coast to Coast’ campaign in 2026. “The best is yet to come,” Zoë said with a smile.
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