WORLD Oceans Day took place earlier this week and Litter Free Coast and Sea Dorset are encouraging residents keep the beaches and waters free from litter while enjoying some of the most stunning underwater wildlife Dorset has to offer.
World Oceans Day is an international day that was recognised by the United Nations in 2008 and has taken place annually since then on June 8. This year's World Oceans Day theme is innovation for a sustainable ocean.
Dorset beaches are always popular with tourists and, as a result, often suffer from plastic, glass and other waste being abandoned on the sand and washed into the waters. Litter Free Coast and Sea Dorset is working to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of litter with help from local organisations, charities and community groups.
The group has shared some photos of Dorset's underwater wildlife taken by a local diver and illustrator, Sandra Stalker.
Stuart Beckingham, project officer at Litter Free Coast and Sea said: "We wanted to share the incredible beauty of Dorset’s coast from a different perspective to celebrate World Oceans Day. Anyone that snorkels or dives around the coast will agree that we are blessed with incredibly rich marine life around Dorset’s coast.
"These outstanding images from local diver and illustrator Sandra Stalker show colourful sea slugs (nudibranchs), bioluminescent jellyfish, anemones, cuttlefish, and numerous fish species that all dwell in our local waters. It’s thought that some of these organisms have existed relatively unchanged for hundreds of millions of years – ponder on that for a minute next time you gaze out to sea."
In recent weeks, the litter problem in Dorset has risen sharply to coincide with the hot weather and easing of lockdown restrictions. Last week, after a weekend of hot weather, Durdle Door was covered in litter after hoardes of visitors and residents flocked to the landmark to enjoy the sunshine.
Volunteers were left to pick up after the beachgoers that made the decision to leave their waste on the sand or next to the overflowing bins instead of taking it home with them.
Stuart Beckingham added: "Please #lovethedorsetcoast and help to keep our beaches and coastal waters #litterfree."
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e: josie.klein@newsquest.co.uk
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