This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

THE amount of litter recorded on Channel Islands beaches has fallen – but there were still 25,521 items collected in just two days.

Some 40 beaches were cleaned across the islands – 31 in Guernsey – as part of the Marine Conservation Society National Beachwatch survey last September.

Results released today show an average of 1,414.5 items of rubbish per kilometre, down from 1,626.2 in 2006. Debris from beach users was the main source.

‘Visitor litter is the most easily prevented of all the sources recorded in the Beachwatch survey and it’s sad to see that this is highlighted again as the main cause of rubbish on our beaches,’ said Environment Department member Chris Brock.

‘We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and it’s a matter of minutes to remove our litter with us after we’ve enjoyed a picnic or barbecue.’

There were 468 items per kilometre of litter from beach users, 33% of all recorded.

This was identical to 2006.

Fishing debris at 276.7 items per kilometre was the second largest source, followed by shipping litter at 2.1.

Deputy Brock said that marine rubbish was a threat to wildlife.

Seabirds often used discarded netting and fishing line in nesting material and can get entangled in it.

There have been local cases of seals getting ensnared in fishing line.

Marine life can mistake plastic bags or deflated balloons for food and swallow it causing creatures to starve.

This year’s Beachwatch survey and clean-up takes place on 20 and 21 September.

n Anyone interested in taking part can contact Jan Dockerill at the Environment Department on 717200 or email env@gov.gg.