Friday 29 June 2012
This year's Coastal Clean Up Campaign organised by the Environment Department will be held over two weekends - 14 to 15 and 21 to 22 July. The first Guernsey Coastal Clean Up, held in 2010, was part of the world-wide celebrations for the International Year of Biodiversity.
Families, companies, schools and voluntary organisations are being invited to get involved by helping to clean up litter from their favourite bit of coastline. People can choose to clean beaches or coastal grasslands - all that's needed are sturdy gloves and plastic sacks.
The Department is particularly asking people to look out for plastic rubbish on the beach. A plastic bottle will take up to 450 years to degrade and releases damaging chemicals in the process. With an estimated 10% of all plastics discarded in the sea, they represent the most persistent form of litter in the marine environment. Plastic waste in the world's oceans eventually finds its way to the sea floor where it suffocates local marine life.
The two weekend clean up events will get the coastline in good condition just before the school summer holidays. This will benefit many families and visitors who enjoy a day at the beach but will also help provide a better habitat for Guernsey's sea birds, particularly waders such Oyster Catchers, Dunlin, Knot, Sanderling and Curlew.
Local ornithologists who ring sea birds regularly come across nests which include fishing net and plastic cord. Bird pellets also show evidence that plastic items such as pieces of pen and plastic bag have been picked up and eaten by sea birds.
Deputy Roger Domaille, Minister for the Environment, said:
"Guernsey's beaches are amongst the most beautiful in the world. Coastal litter - whether its washed up or left behind by careless people - spoils the appearance of our beaches for residents and visitors and presents a hazard for our children, pets and wildlife. We were very pleased that the last two Coastal Clean Ups were so well supported and we hope many people will want to get involved again. Each tide will inevitably bring plastic bottles, polystyrene and fishing litter to our shores but if everyone going to the beach remembered to go prepared with a bag to take their own litter away with them, to either put in the coastal bins or take home it would be a major step forward."
If you would like to help to turn the tide on litter, please contact the Environmental Services Unit, Tel: 717200 or env@gov.gg to let the Department know which beach you'd like to clean up and the date.
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
