Transition Falmouth joined forces with over 40 organisations and key individuals on April 24th calling for action on the growing tide of marine litter here in Cornwall and across the U.K. – most of which is plastic waste.

The magnitude of the problem was demonstrated recently by the collection over the previous four months of more than 65,000 plastic bottle tops mostly from beaches around the Cornish coast, which were then strung together into a enormous chain 1.1 kilometre long. The Chain was unveiled on a beach in Whitsand Bay on 11th April – see video below:

An Open Letter was sent to DEFRA on 24th April in response to the consultation on the proposed European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, calling for strong, positive and innovative action to dramatically reduce plastic and other marine pollution which is having a hugely detrimental effect on the marine environment. For the full text of the Letter and the list of supporting organisations and individuals see here.

Transition Falmouth has made a submission to the consultation utilizing the Surfers Against Sewage template and another key response has come from the Marine Conservation Society.

The Open Letter will be followed by further actions including approaches to the Drinks Industry urging them to take more responsibility for the plastic waste they help create, and it is also hoped to take the Chain to the House of Commons to lobby MPs.

A huge vote of thanks is due to the Rame Peninsula Beach Care Group for co-ordinating this call for action.