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Our beaches need our help: here's why

20 September 2022
The Great British Beach Clean is back this September.

After a long hot summer, our coastline needs our help more than ever – and the Great British Beach Clean is the perfect excuse to get out and do some good. Set up by our friends at the Marine Conservation Society, it helps to recover the state of our oceans by combatting the plastic pollution and general waste that’s so detrimental to our seas and the wildlife that calls it home.


In honour of the Great British Beach Clean, we’ve rounded up a selection of coastal spots from around the country that could do with a little helping hand this September. Together, we can make a change for the better.

CROYDE BEACH, NORTH DEVON

A popular spot with walkers, surfers and holiday makers alike, Croyde beach in North Devon is renowned for its glorious stretch of golden sand. However, with popularity comes rubbish – smoking related litter being one of the main issues. Often washed down drains, cigarette butts particularly have been causing issues along the shoreline at Croyde.

Earlier this year, local artists, school children and charities teamed up to create a giant whale mural on the sands of Croyde beach to highlight the scale of rubbish and personal single-use possessions that visitors leave strewn. Items such as chairs, tents, windbreakers, goggles and plastic toys made up the instillation, all of which have been thrown away from beachgoers and cannot be recycled, ending up in landfill, or worse, our oceans. There’s also concern on the harmful impacts that the litter has on the abundance of wildlife and flora that resides along the shore and in the sand dunes. It’s hoped that initiatives such as this one, along with beach cleans organised by the Marine Conservation Society, will help to reduce not only our reliance on single-use plastics but the problems it causes at Croyde and beyond.

PENHALE SANDS BEACH, CORNWALL

Part of a Special Area of Conservation, this Cornish gem joins up with Perranporth beach and Perran Sands forming a beautiful three-mile stretch of coastline. Perfect for dog walkers and sightseers, the area is well-loved for its picturesque setting and dunes that house the ruins of St Piran’s Oratory. The ocean itself is popular among surfers – all in all, there’s plenty to love about this area of British coastline. Surprising therefore, that the Marine Conservation Society found that beaches in the South West and Cornwall are among those with the highest levels of shore-based litter in the country.

Penhale Sands itself has had its fair share of plastic debris, often washed up on the shoreline after strong winds and heavy rainfall. Following storm Brendan in 2020, plastic bottles, a child’s watering can, toothbrushes and even a toilet seat were among items found tangled within the seaweed. Micro plastics have also been of huge concern, with many pieces found scattered across the beach.

ANDERBY CREEK BEACH, LINCOLNSHIRE

On a stretch of coastline between towns Mablethorpe and Skegness in Lincolnshire, sits Anderby Creek. The beach and surrounding area are popular with both locals and tourists thanks to the scenic walks and ample facilities (one of which is the world’s first purpose-built cloud observation platform, no less). However, beyond what seems like the perfect summer visiting spot, lies a worrying series of disturbing finds caused by litter. Earlier this year, the local Lincolnshire wildlife trust warned people of the detrimental impacts of marine litter after a headless seal was found washed up on the beach. Since then increased dog poo bags, nappies and other sewage related debris has been found. Beer bottles and BBQ remnants have also been a culprit, with summer holidays and the recent heatwaves luring groups to Lincolnshire’s once unspoilt beaches.

ABERAVON BEACH, WALES

On the stunning South Welsh coast sits Aberavon, a seaside town in the Neath Port Talbot County. The 5km length beach is perfect for families and is popular for swimming, kayaking and surfing. The coastline here is also known for its views. The Celtic Trail, part of the National Cycle Route, is enjoyed by many. It’s a shame therefore, that litter has been having such a negative impact on locals. The increase of rubbish has been partly blamed on parties held on the dunes, with broken glass, tents, tins, BBQs and other waste left in its wake. It’s hoped that continued support from charities and the public by carrying out beach cleans in the area, will encourage perpetrators to stop and think of the environment and marine habitat before discarding their unwanted rubbish. It’s certainly a change we’d like to see for the better here at Abreavon.

From Friday 16th to Sunday 25th September 2022, the Marine Conservation Society is encouraging everyone to join a local beach clean or even host their own. Keen to join? Be shore to head to mcsuk.org to find an event near you.

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