£100,000 for beach cleanups

A total of £100,000 is being provided to extend the SCRAPbook project around the entire Scottish mainland. SCRAPbook aims to identify the country’s most littered coastal areas to enable targeted clean-up operations and also provide practical help for areas most affected.

Announcing the funding, Ms Gougeon said: “SCRAPbook is supporting vital work to keep our shores clean while helping protect our environment. That is why I am pleased to confirm £100,000 to support the hands-on work by volunteers, which is most needed on our west coast in particular.

“I am absolutely committed to tackling the threat marine litter poses to Scotland’s environment and coastlines. I am confident this project’s pioneering work will act as a springboard for other organisations to take action in the ongoing fight against one of this generation’s most critical issues.”

Vicky Junik, SCRAPbook and Moray Firth Partnership Manager said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to replicate the work of Local Coastal Partnerships on the east and Solway coasts which are already using the outputs from SCRAPbook to drive targeted clean-ups.

“Working with local communities and businesses we will be able to recreate that work in the west where it is most needed, making a tremendous difference in Scotland’s ability to clean up our coasts.”

SCRAPbook – Scottish Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography – is a collaboration between three charities, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol and the Moray Firth Partnership. It involves pilots and observers taking to the skies to photograph areas of the coastline where they spot litter or pollution.

The map is available for anyone to use, from organised groups to schools, communities to individuals. By visiting the website people can see how much litter has been identified and how they might help in their own area.