National Marine Aquarium to clean up Devon’s beaches

- The NMA is set to undertake 20 beach cleans for its 20^thbirthday year -

Starting on 31^stMarch, the National Marine Aquarium will be holding 20 beach cleans across Devon. Local residents and visitors are invited to volunteer for the beach cleans taking place every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year.

The activity is taking placing to celebrate the Aquarium’s 20^thbirthday – one beach clean for every year the Aquarium has been open. The beach cleans will be taking place at a number of beaches including; Mount Batten, Bigbury, Bovisands, Bantham and Teats Hill.

As a conservation charity, the National Marine Aquarium has a mission of connecting us with our oceans and promoting pro-ocean behaviour, creating healthier oceans for the benefit and enjoyment of all. Healthy beaches are key to protecting the oceans and marine life - many animals often mistake plastics and other rubbish for prey and die as a result.

Helen Gowans, Public Engagement Coordinator, commented: “The National Marine Aquarium is dedicated to connecting us with the oceans, we are looking for local residents, visitors and budding marine conservationists to join in and help to clean up our beaches.

“We can all make a difference by taking responsibility for our rubbish and helping to keep our seas and coastlines free from waste by taking part in beach clean activities. It will be a great activity for all the family to get involved in.”

All waste removed will be catalogued to provide an overview of the types of litter left on Devon’s beaches, including straws, bottle caps, cigarette stubs, wet wipes and fishing gear, as well as some of the more unusual items.

Top tops for keeping our beaches clean:

· Leave only your footprints in the sand. If you have food, take a rubbish bag with you and tidy up before you go.

· If the bin is full and overflowing. Let the council know, so they can empty the bins more often.

• If there is no bin, take the rubbish home with you.
• Anytime you are on the beach clear up any rubbish you see, even if it’s not your mess.
• Do be careful. You can find a lot of nasty rubbish. Be prepared, wear sturdy shoes and gloves.
• Join the National Marine Aquarium on our next beach clean, we’ll work together to make our beaches clean again.

31^stMarch – Mount Batten – 10:00 – 12:00

1^stApril – Bigbury – 10:30 – 12:30

7^thApril – Mount Batten – 13:30 – 15:30

8^thApril – Bigbury – 14:30 – 16:30

14^thApril – Mount Batten – 09:30 – 11:30

15^thApril – Bigbury – 09:30 – 11:30

21^stApril – Mount Batten – 13:30 – 15:30

22^ndApril – Bigbury – 14:00 – 16:00

28^thApril – Mount Batten – 09:30 – 11:30

29^thApril – Bigbury – 09:30 – 11:30

5^thMay – Bovlsands – 12:30 – 14:30

6^thMay – Bantham – 13:00 – 15:00

12^thMay – Teats Hill – 09:30 – 11:30

13^thMay – Bantham – 09:30 – 11:30

19^thMay – Teats Hill – 12:30 – 14:30

20^thMay – Bantham – 13:30 – 15:30

26^thMay – Bolsands – 09:30 – 11:30

27^thMay – Bantham – 09:30 – 11:30

2^ndJune – Bovlsands – 12:00 – 14:00

3^rdJune – Bantham – 12:30 – 14:30

To find out more and get involved, please visit www.national-aquarium.co.uk.