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Mayor pays tribute to coastal clean-up crew

Mayor pays tribute to coastal clean-up crew

Fri, September 11, 2020

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has paid tribute to volunteers who recently removed a significant amount of marine waste from the water beneath the iconic Dunluce Castle.

The coastal clean-up was organised by Sea2it, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Portrush that brings together community groups and individuals to address the blight of ocean and freshwater litter.

Sea2it volunteers, alongside staff members from Causeway Coasteering and the crew of the Causeway Lass fishing boat donned wetsuits and helped haul away the array of discarded items from the coast on the 2nd of September.

Among the items removed were a fridge, scaffolding, car tyres, plastic bottles, bags, containers, ropes, and rubber belts, with some of the waste originating from as far afield as Newfoundland and Spain.

The waste removal from the rocky bay was helped by the R&A’s Open Golf Legacy Fund, which aims to leave a positive lasting legacy in host areas. As recipients of a share of last year’s fund following The Open at Royal Portrush, the group was able to refurbish the speedboat used during the clean-up operation while the money also helped provide personal protective equipment for the volunteers.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Mark Fielding, recently met some of the to the volunteers to thank them for their hard work.
He said: “Across Causeway Coast and Glens we are fortunate to have a very active community and voluntary sector, which consistently does all it can to improve the lives of our residents. I want to offer my sincere thanks to all those involved in this scheme and indeed all those across the Borough who dedicate their time and energy to keeping our beautiful natural environments free from waste and litter.

“Our stunning coast is there for everyone’s enjoyment, and on behalf of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council I offer our sincere gratitude.

“It is wonderful to see the benefits of The Open at Royal Portrush continuing to have a positive and long-lasting impact on our local environment and communities.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people that we need everyone to play their part to help keep our Borough clean. Always dispose of your rubbish properly or take it home with you”

Skipper Richard Connor from Causeway Boats, who took part in the clean up, said: “Being an operator of charter tourism boats on the North Coast we see first hand the volume of marine plastic both afloat in the water itself and washed ashore in the many bays. Our skippers and crew take seriously our responsibility to both help directly deal with pollution, and raise awareness of its presence.

“We warmly welcome the Council's support on this important global issue, and the support the Open Legacy Fund which has directly helped tackle this problem.”

To report an incident of littering please contact Environmental Health by ringing 028 2766 0200 or email environmentalhealth@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk. You can also contact us on Facebook and Twitter.
 

Matt Wright from Causeway Coasteering shows a margarine tub from Newfoundland, Canada, found amongst waste beneath Dunluce Castle, to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Mayor, Alderman Mark Fielding 4: Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, Alderman Mark Fielding, meets with Richard Connor from Causeway Boats and volunteers from Sea2it who took part in the marine clean-up Volunteers from Sea2it, Causeway Coasteering and Causeway Boats removing marine waste from the bays beneath Dunluce Castle. Picture Credit: Matt Wright, Causeway Coasteering Volunteers from Sea2it, Causeway Coasteering and Causeway Boats removing marine waste from the bays beneath Dunluce Castle. Picture Credit: Matt Wright, Causeway Coasteering