by Dan Milner
On 19th October seven people took part in the first quarterly survey at Ostaig beach, carried out by Sleat Nature Group and community members. The survey work is part of a long-term research project on the evolution of, and ongoing issues with, beach litter on Skye led by Dr Tom Stanton of Loughborough University (see a video here).
The survey approach is consistent with that of Skye Beach Cleans (operating under the umbrella of the Scottish Islands Federation, SIF). Part of SIF’s survey work is to weigh how much beach litter is from aquaculture, vs other rubbish. However, as Ostaig is a public beach and people may independently clean between surveys thereby affecting the weights of litter surveyed, the Ostaig surveys are focusing on qualitative assessment of litter.
The Ostaig survey uses a modified Marine Conservation Society form developed by SIF, collating and identifying marine litter gathered from 10 m x 10 m quadrants on a transect between the most recent high tide strand line and the uppermost, persistent strand line. Due to this survey coinciding with a spring tide, on this occasion only a single quadrant could be surveyed; we’re aiming for 2 or 3 quadrants at the next survey planned around a neap tide. Amongst the various litter logged were 408 plastic fragments, 46 bottle caps, seven creel sheath remnants, 16 cotton bud stalks, 13 shotgun case parts, 82 lengths of cord and string, and 59 net clippings.
The next survey in January will be followed by a community beach clean, using a beach litter ‘bingo card’ developed by SIF. Dr Stanton is hoping to attend as well.
Contact sleatnaturegroup@gmail.com for more information.
Photos by Dan Milner
