Press release for immediate release
3rd September2015
Subject: Volunteering for Great British Beach Clean 2015
Title: Cleaning up our Coastline: Volunteers to take to Suffolk’s shores for Great British
Beach Clean 2015
If you have ever visited Suffolk’s beaches and despaired at the litter laying around, then you are
not alone, and you can do something positive to help! Sadly, the general trend is that the amount
of beach litter is increasing. Not only is it unsightly, it is also potentially hazardous not just for the
visiting public, but also marine wildlife.
Over 170 species including seabirds, turtles and whales have mistaken marine litter for food and
actually eaten it, which in many cases has resulted in starvation, poisoning and ultimately a slow,
painful death. Plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets also injure, entangle and drown some
of Britain’s favourite marine animals, including seals and dolphins.
Between 18th – 21st September, volunteers will be undertaking a collective clean-up of Suffolk’s
coast as part of the Great British Beach Clean (GBBC). This national event, now in its 22nd year, is
organised annually by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and is the largest national coastal
clean-up and survey undertaken within the UK and Europe. It is coordinated in Suffolk by the
Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The GBBC Weekend is the
UK’s contribution to the International Coastal Clean-Up.
MCS survey results are vital in turning the tide on litter - everything is recorded and categorised so
that MCS can monitor trends and work with industry and policy makers to stop litter at source.
Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB Chairman Cllr David Wood said “Our coastline is such an important
part of our identity in Suffolk, and local people are really passionate about taking positive action to
make our beaches cleaner and safer for people and wildlife alike.”
“We want to build on the fantastic work undertaken by our volunteers last year, and make Suffolk’s
contribution to the GBBC the largest yet!”
Thousands of volunteers do their part in cleaning up some of the UK’s most important
environments as part of the GBBC, and Suffolk is no exception. Previous volunteers have
included Parish Councils, Duke of Edinburgh candidates, Guides, corporate groups and
individuals.
Taking part in this year’s GBBC couldn’t be easier! You can join one of the public events. For more
information and to find out where you can take part, please check the MCS website
www.mcsuk.org or Suffolk Coast & Heaths website http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/ or
contact Lynda at Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB on 01394 445225. This is your chance to do
something positive for the environment – act locally and be part of something global!
Editor’s Notes and contacts:
MCS Editorial and Media Officer: Clare Fischer 01989 561 658
Clare.fischer@mcsuk.org
MCS Beachwatch Officer: Charlotte Coombes 01989 561 597
Charolotte.coombes@mcsuk.org
Main MCS Switchboard
01989 566 017
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the only national UK charity dedicated to the
protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches,
sustainable fisheries, and protection of marine life. Through education, community involvement
and collaboration, MCS raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes
individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment.
MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine conservation and produces
the annual Good Beach Guide (www.goodbeachguide.co.uk), the Good Fish Guide
(www.goodfishguide.co.uk) and www.fishonline.org on sustainable seafood, as well as promoting
public participation in volunteer projects such as MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend and Basking
Shark Watch. For further information go to
www.mcsuk.org
MCS Beachwatch is a year-round UK-wide beach litter survey and clean up, organised by the
Marine Conservation Society (MCS) which encourages local volunteers to survey marine litter
every 3 months. Volunteers remove all the litter from a measured area of their local beach,
recording every item that they find. The data gathered from Beachwatch every September is
published by MCS in the Beachwatch Report. This information is used at national and international
levels to raise awareness of the impacts of marine litter, to promote measures to reduce litter at
source and to campaign for marine litter legislation
Registered Charity
The Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB extends from the Stour estuary to the eastern fringe of
Ipswich and as far north as Kessingland, and includes the whole of the Suffolk Heritage Coast. It
covers 155 square miles, including wildlife-rich wetlands, ancient heaths, windswept shingle
beaches and historic towns and villages. www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org
There are 46 AONBs in the UK. They cover 18% of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Visit
www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for further information about the AONB Family.
Countryside Officer: Lynda Gilbert 01394 445225
Lynda.gilbert@suffolk.gov.uk
The National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) was formed in
1998 as an independent organisation to act on behalf of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONBs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its membership is largely composed of AONB
Partnerships and Conservation Boards, representatives from local authorities whose boundaries
include AONBs and individuals who are concerned to improve AONB management and funding
arrangements. Visit http://www.landscapesforlife.org.uk/about-the-association.html for further
information about the NAAONB.