BSAC is encouraging its diving and snorkelling members to help clean our seas up and get involved with the Great British Underwater Litter Pick.
As the UK’s ‘eyes under the sea’, BSAC members get to see first-hand rubbish on the seabed and the detrimental effect it has on marine life and ecosystems.
BSAC hopes that its Great British Underwater Litter Pick will inspire members to leave the sea in a better condition than before, as well as help shine a light on just how much waste is finding its way into our waters. BSAC is working with the Marine Conservation Society to encourage its members to join beach cleans, as well as underwater litter picks.
Plastic and marine litter pollution is threatening the health of our seas and oceans, largely as a result of our increasing reliance on non-essential single-use plastics, destructive fishing practices and damaging waste disposal methods. It’s estimated that over 80% of marine litter comes from the land, so by keeping beaches clean, less litter will be washed or blown out to sea.
By becoming a BSAC underwater litter picker, members can help turn the tide on marine pollution – every time they dive or head to the beach.
The Marine Conservation Society’s volunteers run beach clean surveys year-round, and the charity runs its annual Great British Beach Clean every September. This year it takes place between 20-29th September 2024, and will see thousands of people take to the beaches to collect and record litter. The programme is one of the largest marine citizen science activities of its kind in the UK and the charity hopes that by gathering more vital data through its beach cleans, it can create change for cleaner and healthier seas.
The charity publishes an annual State of our Beaches report. Volunteer data collected in 2023 shows a marked reduction in the number of plastic bags in circulation. Last year, a total of 4,684 plastic carrier bags were recorded across the UK and Channel Islands by the Marine Conservation Society’s volunteers, an average drop of 80% in carrier bags found washed up on UK beaches over the last decade following the introduction of charges.
Mary Tetley, BSAC CEO said:
As custodians of the sea BSAC members get to see first-hand the damaging effect litter has on the underwater environment. I am delighted that we are working in collaboration with the Marine Conservation Society.
Collecting litter on every dive can make a real difference, whether through a litter pick on a regular dive site, or a focused club effort during a longer dive trip. With beach clean organiser training being offered from the Marine Conservation Society, beach cleans can also form part of an underwater litter pick event so all club members and their families can take part.
The more BSAC members who get involved in the Great British Underwater Litter Pick, the more positive impact we can have.
Justine Millard, Associate Director of Engagement at the Marine Conservation Society said:
We’re really grateful to have the support of BSAC in raising awareness of marine litter. Their members see the damage that rubbish in our seas can do to all our wonderful sealife in the UK. We’re encouraging all BSAC members to get involved in a beach clean with us this summer to stop rubbish being washed or blown back into the sea.
Get involved!
- BSAC is calling on its clubs, centres, members and also divers from other agencies to sign up, get involved and organise or take part in an underwater litter pick or beach clean between 20th and 29th September 2024.
- Underwater litter pick organisers should utilise BSAC guidance on underwater litter pick planning and safety when organising their event.
- Email photos of your underwater litter pick events and what you find to environment@bsac.com. Please also share on social media using #BeachClean and #BSACdivers
