CONCERNED schoolchildren and adults have done their part to help keep the Cambrian Coast clean.

Year 7 pupils from Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau, Xanthe Tregenza and Alex Jones, participated in a community beach clean on Saturday, 2 January.

Ten friends and family members joined them to remove storm debris on a two-mile stretch of beach between Dyffryn and Talybont.

A spokesperson for the beach clean was shocked by their findings.

“One hundred per cent of all marine life is projected to ingest some plastic by 2018,” the spokesperson said. “A staggering 80 per cent of the rubbish collected on our beach clean was ‘ghost fishing gear’ (ropes, fishing line etc) and plastic bottles.

“This is a global issue. An Orca recently washed up in South Africa which had starved to death because its stomach was full of rubbish.

“Closer to home, a large number of plastic straws were recovered from the beach clean which can get caught in the nostrils of endangered turtles, causing injury and sometimes death.

“With plastic taking over 400 years to break down, just picking up one piece on a beach walk can have a significant effect on marine wildlife. The same single piece of plastic, like a dog mess bag, can cause damage to hundreds of animals before eventually breaking down.”

The rubbish collected on Saturday has been either recycled or disposed of responsibly.

Some of the ropes will be repurposed and exhibited in Dyffryn’s Art in the Aisles exhibition later this year.

If you are interested in joining the next beach clean, call Dianna Tregenza on 01341 247056.