The UK's marine reserves are nothing but paper parks

Introduction

Pollutants can affect wildlife, fish quality and our own health and well being. They can come from a variety of sources including;

Agriculture (via Rivers)

Sewage effluent

Industrial discharges

Boats (Oil, deisel, paint etc)

The Marine Conservation Society has created a series of pages that provide a good summary of the issues

Sea Pollution Explained

Find out about local water quality in your area

The European Environment Agency has developed 'Eye On Earth' that provides an official assessment of local air and water quality monitoring points. It also allows you to upload your own assessment and often these do not match up. If you visit the web site and type in your local County in the 'enter location' box on you will get straight to the aerial photo map and information.

Eye On Earth

What's In My Backyard is a tool managed by tyhe Environment Agency to allow you to check out a variety of environmental information in your own area. Simply go to the page and enter your own postcode or place name. Bathing water quality is one of the options. I am reasonably sure this data is directly linked to the data on the Eye On Earth site.

What's In My Backyard

The Marine Conservation Society campaigns for cleaner beaches and in particular is working to address storm overflow pipes that cause significant pollution events. It has produced a Good Beach guide 2009 which is worth a look.

Good Beach guide 2009

Marine Litter

A great deal of marine litter is washed up on our shores. The Marine Conservation Society runs Beach Watch, which gets thousands of volunteers involved in clearing rubbish from beaches, but recording it at the same time. You could join in and help!

Beach Watch

TAKE ACTION FOR FISH SAKE

Buy local inshore
day caught fish

Avoid otter, beam and pair trawlers

Avoid fish breeding seasons

Try some alternative fish to help create new demand

Ask for MSC labelled fish

Look for Fish4Ever tinned fish

Buy cat food made from sustainable fish

Ask fish & chip shops to join the mackerel mission

Download the Fish Fight app

If your business uses locally caught fish, from small boats that do not beam, pair or otter trawl, then the 'Coast Friendly' Initiative may be for you! Click here to find out about the trial that you could be part of.

Support Goodfish

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