Westcountry

The amount of plastic littering Westcountry beaches is at its highest level since records began, a survey warns.

According to the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) Beachwatch 2007 report, plastic litter on the region's beaches has increased by a staggering 126 per cent since the annual survey began in 1994.

Plastic debris now accounts for over 58 per cent of all litter found on South West beaches, including plastic bags and plastic drinks bottles.

Plastic-based cigarette butts are also amongst the most frequently encountered litter items.

Sadly, the tide of plastic litter is not just an unsightly blight on our magnificent coastline.

More than 170 species of marine wildlife including seabirds, turtles and whales have been recorded mistaking marine litter for food resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages, the report warned.

Emma Snowden, MCS litter projects coordinator: "The results are truly shocking, in the last 10 years plastic drinks bottles have increased by 67 per cent, plastic bags by 54 per cent and cigarette butts by 44 per cent."

In addition, plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets injure, entangle and drown some of the region's favourite marine wildlife, including seals and dolphins, it added.

"The results are truly shocking, in the last 10 years plastic drinks bottles have increased by 67 per cent, plastic bags by 54 per cent and cigarette butts by 44 per cent," said Emma Snowden, MCS litter projects coordinator.

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

"The MCS's Beachwatch volunteers remove tons of litter from beaches, and using the survey data they collect, MCS is raising awareness about this serious situation and the solutions.

"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."

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

Volunteers surveyed 168.5km of coast and removed over 346,000 litter items.

This latest report identifies four key sources of beach litter - recreational and beach visitors (35.3 per cent), fishing litter (13.7 per cent), sewage related debris/sanitary waste (6.1 per cent) and shipping litter (1.8 per cent).

The average density of Westcountry beach litter in the survey was 2,054 items of litter per kilometre - an average of two items for every metre stretch of beach!

"Everyone can help prevent some of the most common plastic items littering our beaches and seas by reducing their use," Snowden added.

"By taking simple steps such as taking re-usable bags to the supermarket, re-filling plastic bottles with good old-fashioned tap water, and disposing of litter responsibly, including cigarette butts, we can all make a difference."