© chris148 / Adobe Stock

Volunteers will be coming together on 12th May to take part in a beach clean-up organised by the Surfers Against Sewage organisation on Fistral Beach in Newquay. The environmental event is part of Cornwall's successful efforts to lead the way in the fight against plastic pollution. The marine conservation charity was launched in 1990 by a group of surfers from Porthtowan and St Agnes, on Cornwall's north coast. Having personally encountered the scourge of plastic waste while surfing, Surfers Against Sewage is leading community efforts to clean up our beaches and oceans. They organise national initiatives, such as the Big Spring Beach Clean and the Autumn Beach Clean events, and describe themselves as a "conservation and campaigning" charity that aims to unite, inspire and empower the community to actively protect beaches, oceans, waves and wildlife. Why must we combat plastic waste? The world's oceans are infested with waste plastic, to the point where it's killing marine life and working its way up the food chain to our tables. Scientists predict that in 30 years' time, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea if we continue dumping. There are already more than five trillion pieces of plastic waste floating around, weighing a staggering 250,000 tons. Plastic outnumbers plankton by 46 to one in some areas of the Pacific, according to statistics revealed on the Rise Above Plastics website. Carelessly discarded food wrappers, plastic bags and drinks bottles are among the biggest offenders, contributing to the 12 million tonnes of plastic waste ending up in the sea annually. Sadly, this is killing millions of marine creatures and birds. Plastic bags and ring can-holders are among the most dangerous pieces of waste. Dolphins, whales, seabirds and fish are eating or becoming entangled in plastic waste and this is proving fatal. Around one million birds and a further 100,000 marine creatures die as a result. As fish ingest plastic, scientists believe the same minute particles of plastic can work their way up the food chain without our knowledge and may even end up on our dinner tables. Other causes of plastic waste include old fishing gear such as nets, floats and lines, the plastic pellets known as nurdles that are used to manufacture other items, and fibres of plastic from synthetic clothing. Why are beach clean-ups important? Plastic accumulating on beaches is having a disastrous effect. The BBC1 nature programme, Blue Planet II, witnessed albatross chicks eating plastic fragments in South Georgia. According to zoologists, the parent birds had inadvertently picked up plastic pellets and fed them to their chicks. This can prove fatal. In Long Beach, California, researchers found that sea grass on the beach was mixed with as much as 50% Styrofoam - a non-biodegradable material used in food containers, such as burger boxes and disposable coffee cups. Sand crabs were ingesting the substance and of those studied by scientists, the majority lived for an average of only 39 days, compared to their usual lifespan of two to three years. In addition, less than 40% of the eggs that they had been carrying actually hatched. As waste accumulates on beaches, people don't want to sit and relax surrounded by plastic waste, and local councils are struggling to keep them clean due to limited resources. Surfers Against Sewage say that more than 150 plastic bottles litter every mile of UK beaches. According to a study in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency, every $1 spent on beach clean-ups equated to a $9 boost for the local economy in terms of tourism. This means it pays to clean up beaches, not only for environmental reasons but also to help local businesses to survive. If we all volunteered from time to time, our combined efforts could make a big difference to the environment. In addition, according to UK organisation, The Conservation Volunteers, the act of volunteering has a positive effect on attitudes and behaviour towards the environment. It also impacts on people's lifestyles and our willingness to engage in the local community. The body says that the impact increases over time, so the more we volunteer, the greater effect it will have on the environment and on our attitude. What's happening at Fistral Beach? Surfers Against Sewage have been leading the way in terms of eco-friendly initiatives in the UK for almost 30 years. They are a prime example of how Cornwall is fighting back against plastics. In 2017 alone, with 125 volunteer representatives at the helm, the charity organised 420 beach cleans. In 2018, when Storm Eleanor battered British shores, Cornwall was hit by 100mph winds, which deposited thousands of plastic bottles and other waste on local beaches. Local people volunteered in their hundreds, taking part in beach cleans across Cornwall and fostering a great community spirit that set a good example for the rest of Britain. Fistral Beach is a surfers' paradise, as it's one of the top surfing destinations in the world. The golden beach is set against a backdrop of sand dunes and high cliffs. The biggest surf competitions in the UK take place here, including the BUSA Championships, the Quicksilver Skins and the UK Pro Surf Tour. It's also a popular holiday destination for tourists, with a beach cafe where sunbathers can enjoy refreshments on those long, hot summer days. The beach is sheltered by two headlands and there are also plenty of shops and takeaways for all the family nearby. Be part of the epic SAS Spring Beach Clean community on 12th May by heading to Fistral Beach to join the army of volunteers. For further information on how you can help, email Surfers Against Sewage at [email protected] to be a part of the event. MA Grigg's country store, in St Austell, has a quality range of clothing suitable for beach cleaning and other outdoor activities. We stock top clothing brands such as Joules, Barbour, Hunter, Timberland and many more. Please contact us for further information on our wide range of items, or pop into our Cornwall store in person, where you can always count on a warm welcome!