Cork Harbour is ‘clean’
“This is by far the most favourable result we have seen in eight years of coastal surveys.”
Those were the words of Conor Horgan from business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) which this week released its 8th annual survey of coasts and inland waterways. It showed the majority of areas attaining ‘clean’ status, among them Castletownbere Harbour and a much improved Cork Harbour at Blackrock Castle. However, Bantry, Ballinacurra and Kinsale were all ‘moderately littered’ while White Bay beach was ‘littered’.
33 beaches, harbours, rivers and their immediate environs were monitored by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL in June and July. 17 were deemed ‘clean’, a 50% rise on the previous survey, while the number of areas branded ’littered’ fell from 11 to just three. Again, no area was placed in the lowest category ‘heavily littered’.
Mr Horgan said: “The trojan and ever-expanding work of clean coasts groups and other volunteers is instrumental in this, as is the investment by councils in facilities around our beaches. Legislative measures, such as the tethering of caps to plastic bottles and the Deposit Return Scheme, are contributing factors. It appears also that local authorities have upped their game in responding to busy periods at our beaches.”
Cigarette butts, sweet papers, fast food wrappers were the most commonly found litter items. The first coastal survey conducted since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme showed a 30% drop in the prevalence of plastic bottles and cans. Vapes were less prevalent than in previous studies, but there was no fall in coffee cup litter, which was found in 42% of the sites surveyed.
The reports
The An Taisce report for Castletownbere said the overall impression was a very positive one with regards to litter, with minimal items throughout - just a small number of marine related items at fishing port and typical food items at car parking areas. Clear signage on a regular litter bin indicates 'Bagged Dog Poo Permitted'. Outside various premises, there were many plant containers with soil and signage indicating that 'Cigarette Butts Here Please' are a great initiative - there seems to be a town wide approach to tackling the butt issue. Several marine themed murals adorned various surfaces, one of which reminds the public that 'we are all tied to the ocean'. The town was adorned with an abundance of colourful planting throughout and the area looked not just good with regards to litter but well cared for.
The report for Cork Harbour- Blackrock Castle found the area surrounding Blackrock Castle was very freshly presented and maintained with the recycle facility in good order. There was lovely 'Wild Walks / Cork Nature Network / Marina Walk - Blackrock Castle Observatory' information Board with beautiful illustrations. The Cork City Council / Clean Coasts signage invites the public to join the 'Blackrock Clean up every second Saturday of the month'. Both of the latter signage had graffiti. There were some incidents of dog-fouling - perhaps the installing of poop and scoop'facilities might help. The overall impression with regards to litter was a very good one.
The Ballinacurra report said there was a definite litter presence at this riverside environment. There was a mix of 'recent' litter near the low wall separating the grass from the road. Litter items were primarily food and alcohol related like alcohol cans/bottles, fast-food wrappers, coffee cups and sweet wrappers. Marine related items included buoys, floats and polystyrene. Miscellaneous items included shopping trolley and toy aeroplane. While not part of the immediate survey area, the adjoining derelict building presents poorly and has attracted anti-social behaviour - evidence of a 'drinking spot' and high levels of graffiti. If not addressed, this site could quickly deteriorate to a seriously littered one.
Meanwhile the report for Bantry said the town square was attractively presented with lovely paving, seating, colourful planting etc. and very fresh looking bins; litter items were primarily food related e.g. fast-food wrappers, coffee cups and bottles, with very obvious cigarette butt presence; long-lie litter on the southern side of the survey area were trapped in the overgrown fishing gear and broken boat; some of the dog fouling signage had been defaced with stickers; lovely marine themed octopus wall mural looked very well; extensive opportunities for recycling - all bin units and associated signage were in excellent order.
As for Kinsale, the litter bins/seating areas were freshly presented with dog fouling signage reminding the public of the public health issue associated with same. The colourful flower boxes, hanging water-side, looked very well. The provision of a drinking water station is a welcome addition to any outdoor environment, hopefully the provision of which will reduce the overall number of plastic bottles in circulation. Litter items were a mix of land-based and water-based, primarily in a corner located, trapped in seaweed, south of the main carport. As well as typical food/alcohol related litter, cigarette butts and dog fouling were present. There were dumped buoys and floats, discarded car tyres and traffic cones in the water.
Lastly, the report for White Bay said this beautifully located beach, with stunning views from the car park, and pedestrian approach was not just casually littered but subject to dumping. The first impression in the car park was a poor one. There was a bag of household rubbish, along with litter trapped/lining the surrounding fence. While there was limited litter on the pathway, it was impossible to ignore the dog fouling along this stretch. There were remnants of camping, accumulations of all sorts had been deposited at the base of one of the ring-buoys and; fishing related lines/ropes were found within the stones. Some of the alcoves had been dumped upon.