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Beach Litter at Highest Level Ever

The amount of litter on Britain’s beautiful beaches is at its highest level since records began, according to the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Beachwatch 2008 Survey Report published at www.mcsuk.org. The Beachwatch 2008 results show that litter on our beaches has increased by a staggering 110% since the annual survey began in 1994. Average figures for the UK are now at 2,195 litter items/km of beaches surveyed compared to 1,045 items/km in 1994.

At present there are no Government-led plans for tackling marine litter in the UK. In order to turn the tide on rising litter levels, MCS is calling for a coordinated approach from the Scottish Government and other UK Governments to develop a marine litter strategy as soon as possible and deliver it through appropriate Government bodies.

Marine litter kills wildlife, can be hazardous to people and costs millions to clear up. Over 170 species of marine wildlife including seabirds, turtles and whales have been recorded mistaking marine litter for food resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages.

“Whether you live near the coast or miles inland, we are all connected to the sea. This is a man-made problem.  Every piece of litter has an owner and we all need to take responsibility to not drop litter in the first place.  MCS wants to see zero waste on Britain’s beaches and our first goal is to halve the litter on Britain’s beaches by 2015.  MCS is already working closely with the Scottish Government to help improve beach cleanliness, but more needs to be done to develop a strategy to tackle marine litter in Scotland and throughout the UK, " said Anne Saunders, MCS Scottish Projects Officer.

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