Sweeping the Shore

With marine litter on the increase, the bags, bottles and plastics that blight our beaches need constantly to be cleared if our wildlife is to be protected.  Dorset Wildlife Trust is inviting volunteers to join in The Great Dorset Beach Clean on Sunday 18^th April at Kimmeridge Bay in the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve. 

Tonnes of rubbish 

Last year more than 3 tonnes was cleared from the marine reserve’s beaches and only by such regular cleaning can the unsightly and dangerous detritus be kept in check. Litter reaches our coast both from overseas and from our shores. It can come from boats, be left on beaches, dropped in coastal towns or washed down rivers or outflow pipes. It is believed that 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and one million seabirds are killed each year by marine litter around the world.  

Beach cleans along the coast 

Emma Rance, Marine Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, says: “Every year we organise beach cleans along the coast and dispose of the debris that is washed up on the shore. We hope many volunteers will join us in gathering and sorting the rubbish, to help the important wildlife that is constantly threatened by this. We also count some of the finds, such as balloons, which can be fatal when turtles mistake them for jellyfish. This information helps in campaigns against some of the most dangerous marine litter.”

 Findings from the Marine Conservation Society indicate that beach litter has increased in recent years. Sometimes the problem is exacerbated by sea disasters such as the break-up of the Napoli off the Devon coast three years ago, which brings in excessive rubbish on the tides.

Volunteers are vital

Emma adds: “This periodic cleansing activity, by volunteers interested in the welfare of our wildlife, is vital in ensuring that our beaches and shoreline are kept as safe as possible for the birds and marine life that inhabit our coast.”

Next beach clean 

The beach clean is on Sunday 18^th April from 1.30pm to 3pm, with all equipment such as protective gloves and collection bags provided. Children welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay.

For further information 

Please contact Emma Rance at Kimmeridge Tel: 01929 481044.