Beach litter 'unacceptably' high
March 22, 2005
A survey of nearly 300 UK beaches has found a piece of litter for every 50cm (20 inches) of coastline studied.
The Marine Conservation Society's Beachwatch 2004 Report follows a survey of 269 beaches carried out by 3,000 volunteers last September.
The report said litter had increased by 82% over the past decade and that plastic litter was at its highest level since the survey began in 1993.
A government report using the data has said the levels are unacceptably high.
Plastic danger
"Marine litter remains a problem for coastal communities and the marine environment," it said.
"Litter on beaches is totally preventable."
The litter density ratio of 1,897 items per kilometre in 2004 was an improvement on the record high of 2003 - 2,075 items per kilometre.
But plastic litter rose to account for 60% of all litter. The 1,106.7 items per kilometre was the highest level recorded.
Every year thousands of animals are thought to die because of being caught in, or eating, litter.
Prized asset
Environment Minister Elliot Morley congratulated the Beachwatch 2004 organisers on the breadth of the clean-up and survey.
"Forty million people visit our beaches every year making them one of the nation's most prized assets," he said.
Litter left on the beach or washed up on shore is an eyesore and not only affects our tourist trade, but can have fatal consequences for much of our marine life."
Andrea Crump, Marine Conservation Society's litter projects co-ordinator, said: "This year more beaches were cleaned and surveyed than during any other Beachwatch survey.
"An amazing 3,093 volunteers took part. This is an indication of the high level of public concern about the impacts of litter on our beaches."
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