Friday, 4 October 2013

Just Rubbish

Loch an Obain lies in the heart of a National Nature Reserve. Scottish National Heritage promotes its care and improvement. It's stunning and beautiful. Loch an Obain couldn't be described as a beach exactly. It has difficult access involving scrambling down a steep slope often waist high in bracken and rushes and rough and boggy underfoot. I didn't go to take photos of rubbish but the more we followed the strandline along the shore the more abandoned boxes, floats, fishing nets, rope and plastic containers we found. All of it classed as fishing litter from trawlers and boats. I don't hold Scottish Natural Heritage responsible for cleaning up this mess. The wriggly coast line of north west Scotland with its hidden coves and lochens often miles off the beaten track with little or no easy access by foot is almost impossible to keep tidy and debris free. But I can hold Kellybegs Seafoods Ltd in Co. Donegal in Ireland responsible for dropping their fish box overboard, even if by accident.  It took determination and effort to drag it from the shore back to the car. No Unauthorised Use it says on the side of the box. Quite right, it shouldn't have been there, washed up on this beautiful bit of coast line. I authorised myself to take it home and use it for putting things in. The following day I went with a friend to Ullapool to help with a beach survey and clean. I learnt about littoralartproject.com. and The Marine Conservation Society - working towards clean seas and beaches. If people care they will get involved.
We want to go back to Loch an Obain. but we think to clean up round the loch we will need a boat. A challenge certainly!

6 comments:

S. Etole said...

What a shame to litter our countrysides.

ADRIAN said...

It is a worldwide problem. You are doing your bit to clean up.
When you have finished your local tideline perhaps you would consider tackling the windfarms.

Mac n' Janet said...

I'm amazed at people who claim to be environmentally sensitive and yet do more damage than good.

Anonymous said...

Good for you to do some cleaning-up. Whenever I'm on a shoreline, I'm amazed at the amount of marine litter that's there.

Anonymous said...

I get very cross about litter! I frequently pick up discarded cans and cigarette packets when I am out for a walk neat the house - fortunately there is a bin at the church (for flowers from the graves) so I don't have to carry it too far!
Beautiful photos - the blue of the sky and the water is stunning.

Lucille said...

I'm picking up what I used to just photograph, but I need a bigger bag. I expect you know about this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/7450769/The-Biggest-Dump-in-the-World.html

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