national

Big Beach Clean underway today

A call for volunteers has gone out across Ireland in an effort to clean up the nation's beaches and the initiative will be part of Big Beach Clean - the 27th annual International coastal clean up which starts today 14 September and runs until Sunday.

Coastal Cleanup, the world's largest volunteer effort to help protect our beaches, seas and marine life. Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world spend a few hours removing litter and debris from beaches keeping track of every piece of litter they find.

Clean Coasts will use this information to produce a snapshot of the problem of marine litter in Ireland and also share this information with the international Ocean Conservancy to form part of the worldwide survey.

The Big Beach Clean is an initiative organized as part of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme.

When: 14th – 16th September, Search the Big Beach Clean Cleanup website to find a clean up near you or register to be a part of the next wave of volunteers. www.bigbeachclean.ie

The Clean Coasts programme is owned and operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and is funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Coca-Cola and Fáilte Ireland. The Ocean Conservancy educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, Ocean Conservancy brings people together to find solutions for our water planet.

Annabel FitzGerald, Coastal Programmes Manager, An Taisce, “Marine litter is a global concern, affecting all the oceans of the world. Every year, millions and millions of tonnes of litter end up in our seas and oceans worldwide, posing environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems….All action no matter how small makes a difference and so we are very proud of the work of An Taisce’s Coastcare groups who volunteer all year round to protect their local coastal area. We all have a responsibility in caring for our coastline.”

Clean Coasts Ireland engages people in protecting our beaches seas and marine life for future generations www.cleancoastsireland.org