Locals continue to tackle blight of marine litter

0
2537
Dundrum Rowing Club litter clean up

A TEAM of hardy volunteers set off on 29 December to take part in a litter pick along sections of the Dundrum Bay.

Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club took possession of a boat early last year, which since then has been routinely used for marine litter picks.

The team members swapped oars as their usual means of propulsion for a powerful outboard engine.

The dinghy, with its clever construction, is easily manoeuvred in shallower waters, including rivers which feed into the bay, so those out on litter patrol can grab as much rubbish as possible.

It will also mean that areas which are not so easily accessible by foot can be targeted.

Some of the rowing club’s members and supporters decided to use their marine clear-up as the perfect opportunity for their final get-together of 2024.

As part of their ongoing work trying to tackle the blight that is marine litter, the team set to sea, with volunteers dropped at several locations on the Ballykinlar side of the bay.

Collecting large bags filled with rubbish, 15 to be precise, a large proportion of what was gathered was the likes of plastic waste, including bottles and cotton buds, in addition to a lot of rope and plastic containers.

Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club’s Cathal Ó hÍr described the most recent litter pick as “hugely successful” but said the unfortunate aspect of marine litter is that it is a nonstop problem.

“We focus our efforts on one area, and sadly, before we know it, the situation is as bad as ever.

“That’s the depressing part about this problem.

“We are doing our bit and removing what we can and when we can and that way, we are getting some of the litter away. But it is a drop in the ocean.

“Marine litter is a global challenge, affecting the world’s oceans, seas, coastlines and shores.

“A wide range of material, such as plastics, metals and glass, ends up in our marine environments and these all decompose very slowly – if at all.”

With many more similar events planned for 2025, Cathal concluded by reiterating his thanks to everyone who took part in 2024’s marine litter pic

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here