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Search for1,500 plastic pellets picked up on beach
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 10:00
Environmental volunteers from the South Hams picked up the debris when they took part in a beach clean at Cockleridge Beach, Bantham.
More than 30 volunteers met to clear plastic from the shoreline.
Organisers said the event, which was part of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) Beachwatch – a nationwide beach clean and litter survey – had been very successful.
The day was coordinated by Maya Plass, from Learn to Sea, on behalf of the Aune Conservation Association of which she is a committee member, and Nigel Mortimer, South Hams conservation officer.
Mrs Plass said: "By recording types and quantity of plastic and other rubbish, the MCS are able to lobby the Government for a change in policy on issues relating to litter.
"It also helps them monitor how much is being dumped at sea and on beaches around the coast. At Cockleridge we also focused on cleaning the smaller items which go straight into the food chain when small animals eat them, mistaking them for eggs.
"This is a particular problem with mermaid's tears, which are the raw product for plastic before it is moulded into objects."
Mrs Plass said these pellets got released into the environment and toxins clung to them, making them poisonous for wildlife.
She said 1,644 pellets were picked up and would be sent to a laboratory in Japan for analysis as part of an international research project on plastic litter littering the world's beaches.
Mrs Plass said there would be other beach cleans throughout the year. For details, call her on 07811 349966.
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