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 04 July 2008 21:05 BST

Wildlife under threat from record beach litter

Thursday, 10 Apr 2008 09:03
Britain's beaches are being blighted by record levels of plastic litter

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Over 170 species of marine wildlife are being harmed by record levels of plastic litter on Britain's beaches, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has warned.

The group says plastic litter on the nation's beaches has increased by 126 per cent since its annual Beachwatch survey began in 1994.

Plastic debris, such as bags and drinks bottles, accounts for 58 per cent of all litter found on UK beaches.

In the last ten years plastic drinks bottles have increased by 67 per cent, plastic bags by 54 per cent and cigarette butts by 44 per cent.

As well as being unsightly, plastic litter poses a threat to wildlife including seabirds, turtles and whales who mistake the litter for food.

Eating the litter can result in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages.

Seals and dolphins are also at risk of being caught and drowned in plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets.

MCS litter projects coordinator described the Beachwatch 2007 report's findings as "truly shocking".

"Plastics are of particular concern as they could persist in the marine environment for centuries with fatal consequences for marine wildlife," she added.

"The plastic litter problem needs to be tackled at all levels, from grassroots through to government, while industry and retail sectors must acknowledge the need to reduce plastic bag use and packaging."

She added that each person can play a role in preventing plastic waste by re-using bags, refilling plastic bottles with tap water and disposing of litter responsibly.

The MCS report is based on data collected by almost 4,000 volunteers on 354 UK beaches surveyed in mid-September 2007.

Volunteers surveyed over 168km of coast and removed over 346,000 litter items.
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