'Dirtiest beaches in Britain'
WESTCOUNTRY beaches remain the dirtiest in Britain despite a 30 per cent fall in litter last year.
The Marine Conservation Society has been conducting Beachwatch – an annual, nationwide beach litter survey and clean up – since 1994, in which time rubbish has increased by 77 per cent.
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But this year volunteers in the Westcountry found 32 per cent less rubbish, with 3,269 items/kilometre recorded in 2009 compared to 4,784 items/km in 2008.
Despite the improvement, the region's beaches remain the worst affected in the country. The UK average is 1,849 items/km.
The society remains particularly concerned at the volumes of plastic found on the shore which has more than doubled since 1994.
"Our seas and beaches are becoming overwhelmed with plastic litter, which not only looks horrible, but kills and injures many of our fantastic marine animals every year," said litter projects officer Rachel Bailey.
"More than 260 species of marine wildlife become entangled in litter or mistake it for food."
The 2009 results were generated by 4,655 volunteers who went to their favourite beach last September and not only removed the litter, but also recorded what they found.
The haul included 7,393 plastic bags, 16,243 plastic drinks bottles, 17,712 fishing nets and 70,546 small pieces of plastic. The litter filled 2,742 rubbish bags.
Among the rubbish found by MCS volunteers were a laboratory incubator, syringes, nappies, half a boomerang, a message in a bottle, a joke severed finger and a fake set of vampire's teeth, as well as a pile of spring onions.
The society has campaigned for the Government to act to stop the growing marine litter problem. Rachel Bailey said they could have reached a turning point.
"The solution is to stop litter getting into the sea in the first place," she added. "The Marine Conservation Society is delighted that government and political parties have announced their commitment to drawing up action plans to reduce marine litter."
As part of its commitment, the Government is to host talks later this year about tackling the problem of marine litter.
Environment minister Huw Irranca- Davies said: "Britain's coastlines, beaches and seas deserve better than to be treated as a dustbin. The mountains of waste which people leave behind are a risk to the health of both people and marine wildlife.
"MCS does fantastic work cleaning up our beaches but the best thing people can do to help is not leave their rubbish there in the first place," he said.
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by steph darley, immingham
Monday, March 29 2010, 1:02PM
“i agree withh the penryn peson about litter in the hedgerows and it is not only the beaches but the streets,when on holiday in cornwall i see the litter all over the place and think there are bins why do people not use them they are not just to be looked at they are there for a reason to be filled with litter,if i can`t find a bin i wait until i can then put it in and it infuriates me when the lovely scenery is spoilt by people dropping litter .”
by Theresa Green, Cornwall
Monday, March 29 2010, 11:38AM
“Looks like my first comment has struck a chord with all the 'expert' enivirnonmentalists. My point that dog muck is of more concern than much more important issues must have been spot on. Nobody really gives a toss about mass polution - toxic chemicals, plastics, over fishing etc etc. My dog craps every day in my garden without any affect - what about all the other animals, mice bids ect etc? how did the human race get this far?
Anyway to reitterate my point is that we should all look at the wider issues to improve and protect our coastline (and the bit in between) rather than what's at the end of our nose.”
by Thelonius, Penryn
Monday, March 29 2010, 10:47AM
“As David in St.Austell says, it's not just beaches. There is litter on every street and in every hedgerow. There are too many inconsiderate, lazy slobs around. EVERYBODY should show their environment respect and dispose of their litter responsibly.”
by Slimslad, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Monday, March 29 2010, 8:18AM
“I thought tourists would get the blame.
Does this mean locals don't drop litter, or walk dogs?”
by Mallorycat, Hayle
Sunday, March 28 2010, 5:11PM
“Every citizen must take responsibily for properly disposing of their waste, regardless of whether it is dog excrement, (un)disposable nappies or beer bottles when they are on the beach or anywhere else for that matter. The word folks is RESPONSIBILITY. Get it.”
by Mallory, Hayle
Sunday, March 28 2010, 5:06PM
“Every citizen must take responsibilty for disposal of their waste, it doesn't matter what it is, whether its dog poo, disposable (or rather undisposal nappies) or just general rubbish. So take responsibility people and stop trying to lay the blame on anyone but yourselves.”
by tedwcornwall, West Cornwall
Sunday, March 28 2010, 11:13AM
“I hope the master of the hunt carries plenty of poo bags around in his pockets to pick up after all those foxhounds running around on the public highways and byeways.”
by A couple of Crockles, Up country
Sunday, March 28 2010, 9:52AM
“When common parasites of dogs and cats infect humans, the illness is called toxocariasis (or visceral larva migrans). Toxocariasis usually affects kids under age 10. Especially at risk are those who like to put things in their mouths, or those whose families have pet dogs or cats.
Children under ten inhabit beaches and they like to put things in their mouths Theresa
like the previous post hope this helps you understand the problem a little better”
by Jeffandi (ex pats), Nottingham
Sunday, March 28 2010, 9:44AM
“Theresa
All faeces contains bacteria that can cause stomach upsets if ingested. However, the greatest risk to public health from dog faeces is toxocariasis.which can cause blindness in young children.
by touching a minute amount and then touching their face.
Hope this helps”
by christopher, Northlew
Saturday, March 27 2010, 10:23PM
“This story at best is mis-leading at worst inaccurate.
There are a number of factors in stating a beach is dirty, plastic litter is actually a small part in the statistics.
Most of the litter washed up on Devon and Cornwall Beaches are not derived from the UK but carried via the gulf stream from as far away as south America. USA, Carribean and some parts of Northern Spain, Portugal and France. Cornwall and Southern island is the first place they get washed up as opposed to say Cromer in Norfolk, there is little we can do to stop this constant stream of trash.
The bigger issue is the amount of sewage, pollutants, chemicals, radiation and bio hazards that are present in most UK beaches which is mostly due to that years rainfall. with 1 in 7 likely to get gastroenteritis in some parts of the UK, rising along the south EAST coast closer to denser populated areas, sediment is also an issue as this can carry harmful bacteria. Most beach resorts especially along the North Cornwall coast have very little sediment.
The problem is not that South West beaches have become dirty, but as worldwide population increases and the gulf stream shifts periodically (yearly) some years we will have a clean year and others a dirty one. The problem is yearly fluctuations. The statistics above were actually put together for 2008 / 2009 and does not reflect what the summer season will bring in terms of pollution so on that basis, it is mis-leading.
Finally, before writing these stories, the Harold and the like would be far better placed to get national statistics for the whole of the UK, and then decide which is worse before making random sweeping scare mongering stories such as this which could swing someone who doesn't do their research from visiting our fantastic shoreline.”