Do you like walking along our beautiful coastline, sandy beaches and rocky, pebbly shores? The All Ireland Coast Watch Survey, which is part of a wider European coastal initiative, started earlier in September and runs until Tuesday 15th October. Now operating for over thirty years, this month long survey is vital for raising awareness and for monitoring litter, water quality, and rare flora that occurs along our coastline.
Coast Watch Ireland has groups in other locations throughout the country but they need help this Autumn in Wicklow, particularly Wicklow Town. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have provided essential funding to this long running initiative. Coast Watch Ireland is part of the wider Coast Watch Europe organisation, which is an international network of environmental groups, universities and other educational institutes.
To take part in this survey, go to Surveys | Coastwatch Europe and adopt a 500 metre stretch of coastline. Working in small groups or with a friend at low tide, explore your coastal stretch and record various litter items, for example plastic tops, wet wipes or fishing tackle and drinks cans. Survey forms, a training video, a guide to tides and other resources can be found on the Coast Watch Ireland website.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Paul O’Brien said, “We are all in support of this vital initiative. Wicklow’s coastline is of huge importance to us and opportunities such as this provide members of the public an avenue for meaningful engagement and participation in environmental monitoring, along with fostering a sense of stewardship.”
Adding to this, Wicklow County Council’s Director Of Service, Theresa O’Brien praised the ongoing efforts of volunteers throughout the county on a range of citizen science initiatives such as this saying, “The data received is essential in feeding into government policy on environmental protection, following the recent introduction of the Return scheme and the new modified plastic bottle tops on Tetrapak and similar. We look forward to seeing findings of this year’s survey”.
Supporting this month long survey, Laurie Whelehan, a SICAP Development Worker with County Wicklow Partnership said, “It’s great to see our community members, such as those in Wicklow Men’s Shed, taking part in the Coast Watch survey. It enables the local community to take ownership in protecting their local natural environment and biodiversity.”
In December, data collected by volunteers throughout Ireland will be presented at an event in Dublin’s Trinity College. For further information and support, you can contact Wicklow County Council’s Environmental Awareness Officer at eao@wicklowcoco.ie or visit the Coast Watch Ireland website.