Our battle with beach litter

Did you know?

That marine based litter has almost doubled in the last 15 years

Rubbish in the marine environment can have catastrophic effects on marine animals, many are found washed up dead on beaches having eaten plastic litter or other unnatural materials. Mermaids tears (tiny bits of plastic) are a common cause of death in fish and fishing tackle, also known as 'ghost nets' is also a cause of mortality in larger marine animals.

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The rangers across the Lizard and Penrose property spend a considerable amount of their time each week collecting litter, however it is not as dull as it sounds, they sometimes come across some interesting and bizarre things.

An Old Fridge washed up at Church Cove - Gunwalloe

This very interesting deep ocean evacuated glass sphere was found by walkers at Gunwalloe fishing cove last month.

Trees, tyres and old fishing equipment are often found at the high water mark

Rubbish on the dunes - Church Cove - Gunwalloe

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We endeavor to keep our beaches on the Lizard as clean as possible and have a number of volunteer groups that help us with the challenge. Young people from Helston completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award at Penrose over the last few months have done many beach cleans, the Friends of Poldhu group, help hugely by holding regular beach cleans and the trainee rangers from Poltesco, working for the National Trust, often collect rubbish while they are out and about.

National Trust Trainee Rangers at Kynance

If you would like to get more involved in beach cleaning we are holding two events in March to help celebrate the Coast 2015. Gunwalloe, Church Cove, on 20th March and Poldhu beach on 21st March, both will be between 10-12 pm and will end in a hot chocolate!

Beach litter - Lowland Point

You can find out more information about marine wildlife and the effects of beach litter through the Marine Conservation Society and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust at the following websites. 

www.msc.org

www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

Thank you to everyone around the coastline of the Lizard Peninsula if you have picked up any beach rubbish, it is much appreciated and all helps get the litter off our beaches and out of our oceans.

Rosie