Locals urged to keep beaches in ship shape

WITH last summer’s fantastic weather still fresh in our minds, a major call for volunteers was launched at Portmarnock to keep our beaches ship shape as part of an environmental initiative.

An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme made the call with rugby legend Shane Byrne, managing director of AWD Waste Solutions Ltd who lined out at the launch of Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week 2014, which started last Friday (May 9) and runs until this Sunday, May 18.

Members of the public are invited to jump on board to make this important event the biggest yet.

The programme organises hundreds of clean-ups mobilising thousands of volunteers who remove considerable quantities of marine litter from Ireland’s environment.

Annabel FitzGerald, Coastal Programmes Manager, An Taisce, said:

“Raising public awareness is incredibly important when it comes to reducing marine litter and Clean Coasts’ initiatives such as Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week and #2minutebeachcleans are excellent for public participation and creating a sense of environmental responsibility.

“We are on course to make Clean Coasts Week 2014 Ireland’s largest coastal clean-up event ever with 100 coastal clean-ups already registered.

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Ms Fitzgerald added:

“We are delighted to be working with the European Environment Agency this year and ask that all our Clean Coasts groups use the Marine LitterWatch app to record what they collect.

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Speaking at the launch, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Fergus O’Dowd, said Ireland is famous internationally for its beautiful and scenic coastline, which supports rich ecosystems and vibrant economic activity.

“It is enjoyed by both visitors and locals alike,

? he said.

“Tourism initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way plan to highlight the unique beauty of this natural asset. The damage done by this winter’s storms, however, highlights its vulnerability.

“I would like to commend all who participate in this year’s Clean Coasts week as it is such an important and worthwhile endeavour to protect and enhance such a valuable resource for the current and future generations.

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Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs & Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland, said the clean-up events will greatly benefit not only the local environment but also the communities in which they take place.

“Clean-ups form a fantastic opportunity for thousands of volunteers to get out, be active and enjoy some fresh air and at the same time get to know their neighbours and make new friends,

? said Ms Roseingrave.

Reform Alliance TD for Dublin Bay North, Terence Flanagan, said he is looking forward to the event.

“Hundreds of people have volunteered to make this initiative hugely successful in the last decade since it was first introduced,

? he said.

“Thanks to the huge effort of all the volunteers who helped at last year’s event, half a million items of litter were removed for beaches and waterways around the country.

“I would like to commend all of those who take part for dedicating their spare time to clean up our local amenities.

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To register a clean-up or find out more about Clean Coasts’ coastal celebration events, visit www.cleancoastsweek.ie