Volunteers needed for annual beach litter survey (From Barry And District News)

Volunteers needed for annual beach litter survey

8:00am Sunday 5th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THE Marine Conservation Society (MCS) urgently needs volunteers to take part in the UK’s biggest beach litter survey and clean-up taking place over the weekend of September 19-20.

The tide of litter washing up on UK shores is not just unpleasant to look at, it can harm and kill some of our best-loved marine wildlife.

Over 170 species of marine wildlife including seabirds, turtles and whales have mistaken marine litter for food resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages. Plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets also injure, entangle and drown marine animals, including seals and dolphins.

In Wales last year, a record number of 56 beaches were cleaned by 606 volunteers, who surveyed 19.40 km of beach and collected a total of 49,473 pieces of litter.

Welsh beaches had the second highest levels of litter per country for the UK, with 2,550 items per km, higher than the UK average of 2,195 items/km.

The data collected by MCS Beachwatch volunteers also contributes to a worldwide project, the International Coastal Cleanup, which takes place in over 80 countries worldwide.

Register online at: www.adoptabeach.org.uk or telephone the litter team on 01989 567807.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)