Marazion beach will be receiving a thorough clean on Sunday 18th September as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) annual Beachwatch Big Weekend litter survey and clean-up.
Cornwall Waste Action, a not for profit environmental organisation, co-ordinate the annual beach clean, which is also part of the countywide Clean Cornwall initiative.
The community event needs additional volunteers to participate with the beach clean and take part in the beachwatch survey, all data collected from the survey will be analysed, by the MCS to highlight the main litter problems and identify the sources of the waste that has accumulated on the beach require additional community volunteers to help clean and survey the beach between Long Rock and Marazion.
Nationally MCS surveys have recorded a 77% increase in the amount of beach litter compared to results from 1994. The four main sources of litter found on UK beaches come from the public, fishing, sanitary waste and shipping.
CWA Co-ordinator Guy Doncaster says “The amount of litter washed up on the shoreline is unsightly, but more importantly it can harm and kill some of our marine wildlife, who mistake marine litter for food resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages. Whilst plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets also injure, entangle and drown some of Britain’s favourite marine animals.”
Mr Doncaster added “We really need volunteers to participate in the event and complete the survey, together we can show that volunteer action can raise environmental awareness and support behavioural change. The event will also highlight that environmental volunteering can be a fun activity which most people can participate in, we look forward to both local people and visitors volunteering on the day.”
Last year over 4,500 volunteers took part in annual Beachwatch Big Weekend nationally last year, cleaning and surveying 397 beaches in just one weekend. The MCS survey found an average of one piece of litter for every footstep along UK beaches.
Anyone who would like to volunteer can either contact CWA or come to the beach on Sunday 18th September at 10.30am. Volunteers will be meeting on the beach near Jordan’s Café (Station house pub car park). Protective gloves and litter pickers will be available and there will be free refreshments and snacks for all participants.
For more information please contact CWA: 01209 210883 or (Aktiviere JavaScript, um die Email-Adresse zu sehen)
