Marine specialists have organised an urgent beach clean and want you to get involved.
Sea Life Brighton will be leading a beach clean event tomorrow for World Ocean Day to help clear Brighton beach of plastic.
The aquarium said it comes after the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported that more than half of the world’s turtles have eaten plastic waste which kills more than one million marine animals every year.
Turtles often meet this fate after mistaking litter such as plastic bags or microplastic for jellyfish or algae.
Around 250 volunteers are expected for the beach clean which is taking place near Brighton Palace Pier.
Neil Harris, Sea Life Brighton general manager said: “We need to act now to save our oceans, beaches and all creatures that inhabit our waters before it is too late.
“Every single piece of plastic ever created still exists, with more being created day by day and unfortunately large quantities end up in our oceans, harming and often killing marine creatures.
“We all need to come together to tackle the global pollution crisis – not only for sea creatures but to protect the global environment for future generations as well.
“Here at Sea Life Brighton, we regularly take part in clean ups on the beach ahead of opening the attraction, as well as striving to educate our visitors on the damage of plastic pollution.
“The beach clean set to take place this World Ocean Day is the perfect opportunity to get involved and help make a difference.”
The beach clean tomorrow is free to participate although people have to make a donation to Sea Life Trust.
All attendees must come at the beginning of the session at the courtyard outside the aquarium for a health and safety briefing.
Clean-up events will kick off in New Zealand and finish in California, with over 50 different Sea Life attractions participating over a 24-hour period.
The beach clean in Brighton is being run in two sessions from 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm.
People are being asked to arrive 30 minutes before each session.
Source: The Argus
