How Charities are Championing Wildlife Through Beach Clean Ups
09/07/2023
Did you visit a UK beach over the summer? The state of our beautiful coastal regions is constantly in the news, whether due to sewage leaks, levels of microplastic or visible casualties of avian flu.
There are many charities working on a local and national level to help. Some monitor and report problems, others organise events to clean up litter and others run campaigns to prevent further pollution.
Here we look at examples of all three and find out from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust about the particular impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife.
An annual survey
The Great British Beach Clean runs from 15-24 September 2023. It is an annual citizen science event organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MSC). Each year, thousands of people get involved in hundreds of beach cleans up and down the UK.
In 2022, MSC reported that 5261 volunteers joined in, collectively removing 141,048 pieces of litter. Their analysis of the 2022 data describes trends in the types of litter found and how this varies across the UK. Plastic and polystyrene pieces topped the list of most found items, ranging from 24 pieces per 100metres in the Channel Islands to 318 per 100m in Northern Ireland.
Litter picking all year round
It is clear that litter is a widespread problem. And volunteers everywhere are working on the clean-up.
Earlier in the year, we talked to two organisations working with their communities to tackle litter and pollution. Both organised regular litter pick events and worked with local businesses and community groups to tackle the litter problem at the source. Jason Alexander, founder of Rubbish Walks UK said he is working to build “communities that don't litter”.
The impact on marine wildlife
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is the second oldest Wildlife Trust out of 46 across the country. It has a vision for a wildlife-rich Yorkshire for the benefit of everyone. It creates, protects and connects wildlife-rich landscapes and seas, and builds positive connections with nature with local communities.
The marine team works to establish ‘living seas’ in Yorkshire - where marine wildlife thrives and people value the sea for the role it plays in supporting life. Ana Cowie, Marine Pollution Officer is one of the team working on the Waves of Waste Programme. She told us:
“One of the biggest issues threatening marine life is pollution. From microplastics and tangles of fishing lines, deadly rubbish is polluting our beaches and choking our wildlife. Scientists have even witnessed plankton ingesting microplastics.
Our marine pollution programme tracks the impact of pollution and sets up projects to help. This includes year-round YWT beach clean events along the Yorkshire coast. From Scarborough to Spurn, anyone and everyone can help rid our waves of waste by picking up litter. Staff and volunteers are always on hand to talk about the brilliant marine wildlife that call Yorkshire home and how pollution negatively impacts them.
We are lucky to have the largest mainland breeding seabird colony in the UK. Every year thousands return here to breed. They build nests for their chicks using whatever material they can. Unfortunately this includes fishing line and rope which means that as the chicks grow, they get tangled up. In previous years the RSPCA have had to abseil down the cliffs to cut chicks free so they can fledge. We regularly see seals entangled in fishing line, fishing rope, even frisbees.
We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg of the marine litter crises. It is important we all do our bit to try and turn the tide. We want everyone who attends our beach cleans to feel empowered to make changes in their daily lives to help wildlife.”
Get involved
- Attend a Great British Beach Clean event in September or other events throughout the year or organise your own. Lots of beaches have 2minute beach clean kit to borrow.
- Find out about the impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife – Keep Britain Tidy
- Follow tips on how to reduce your plastic waste – WWF
- Change how your organisation thinks about waste – Going Green Together – focus on waste.
Planning your own beach clean or litter clean up?
If you’re organising a beach clean with your organisation, take a look at the Marine Conservation Society's resource page. Here they have a guide you can download, as well as risk assessment templates, editable posters and training videos to help you get prepared.
