10/04/2008

Plastic Not Fantastic For Welsh Beaches

A survey carried out by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has revealed that Welsh beaches have the most man-made litter than any other in the UK.

The beaches also ranked at the bottom of the table for fishing litter and articles washed ashore during last year.

The beaches surveyed by volunteers from MCS included Langland Beach.

MCS Welsh officer, Gill Bell, said: "Welsh beaches are suffering from a tide of plastic litter, which may never biodegrade and this tide appears to be increasing.

Ms Bell stressed that plastic litter was "of particular concern", because they could persist in the marine environment for centuries, which could have "fatal consequences" for marine wildlife.

Almost 73% of litter found on the beaches was plastic.

The results are understood to be the worst in seven years.

(DS/KMcA)






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