Beachwatch announced

It is, says the Marine Conservation Society, the “biggest and most influential project in the fight against beach litter in the UK”.

The event, which last year involved some 385,000 pieces of litters collected from 370 beaches by 5000 volunteers, not only clears Britain’s seashores but includes a litter survey whose published results habitually attract broad media coverage.

The stats highlight worst areas and forms of pollution, helping the Marine Conservation Society in its campaigns for cleaner seas. These have, says the MCS, “helped influence changes to laws on disposing of waste at sea, and resulted in investment in better sewage treatment at the coast”. 

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

“If you care about our amazing marine wildlife and are concerned about the growing tide of litter in the UK, this is your chance to make a difference,” says Emma Snowden, MCS Litter Projects Co-ordinator. “The information you collect will help us to tackle the sources of litter and campaign to reduce the most common items ending up on our beaches and killing wildlife.”
 
Volunteers can register online at www.adoptabeach.org.uk  Alternatively email to beachwatch@mcsuk.org or telephone the MCS litter team on 01989 567807.

Based on previous years’ results, and no doubt to be bolstered by this year’s, the MCS is calling on the UK Government to “develop an action plan to tackle marine litter”. Its petition can be signed at www.adoptabeach.org.uk

For the annually updated MCS Good Beach Guide, based on the stats collated from Beachwatch, go to www.goodbeachguide.co.uk