Surfers against Sewage
Surfers Against Sewage
Marine plastic pollution has sadly become synonymous with many of our coastal activities. It is a huge problem nationwide and one which is a top priority for marine conservation charity “Surfers against Sewage”
Not just surfers and not just sewage, Surfers Against Sewage deals with a wide spectrum of marine conservation issues from marine litter to climate change. Established as a single-issue campaign group in 1990 by a small collective of passionate, local surfers and beach lovers in the picturesque north coast villages of St Agnes and Porthtowan, the organisation swiftly created a well-known movement calling for improved water quality UK-wide.
In the early 1990’s SAS became an effective catalyst for change and a driving force behind the need to improve coastal water quality. Pressing on key pieces of legislation, collating health evidence and connecting previously disparate groups of surfers into what became one of the best-recognised environmental campaign movements of the 1990s.
In 2012, Surfers Against Sewage widened its focus and was established as a national marine conservation charity focused on the protection of waves, oceans, beaches, marine wildlife and coastal communities.
Today, water quality remains a core campaign alongside tackling other issues such as marine litter and coastal developments.
It is a sobering fact that plastic on our beaches has increased by 180% in the last 20 years, and its presence is causing serious problems for the health of our oceans. It is estimated that over 100,000 marine animals and over a million sea birds die every year as a direct result of marine litter. The majority of this is plastic. On average there are 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in every square mile of ocean.
Marine plastic pollution, is now Surfers Against Sewage’s top priority ; their goal – plastic free coastlines.
There are several way that you can get involved with Surfers against Sewage.
1 Join a beach clean. In 2016 there were over 950 SAS beach cleans around the whole of the UK. These were attended by over 19,400 people who between them removed in excess of 64 TONNES of marine litter. It is hoped that even more people will turn out this year for the annual Spring Big Beach Clean which takes place at various locations around the coastline between 3rd – 9th April.
2 Stop plastic pollution by saying no to single use plastics and signing the petition to introduce a deposit return system for plastic bottles in the UK. Find out more about the Message in a Bottle Campaign at www.sas.org.uk/messageinabottle
3. Report any pollution that you find around the coast. SAS is working tirelessly to reduce pollution entering the marine environment and relies on a strong network of supporters, volunteers and regional reps to help
4. Support your local SAS Rep. Get in touch with your local SAS to volunteer at events, take action on local issues, fundraise, organise community beach cleans. Find out more at www.sas.org.uk/regions-reps
For more information on Surfers against Sewage and how you can get involved please visit their website www.sas.org.uk
Not just surfers and not just sewage, Surfers Against Sewage deals with a wide spectrum of marine conservation issues from marine litter to climate change. Established as a single-issue campaign group in 1990 by a small collective of passionate, local surfers and beach lovers in the picturesque north coast villages of St Agnes and Porthtowan, the organisation swiftly created a well-known movement calling for improved water quality UK-wide.
In the early 1990’s SAS became an effective catalyst for change and a driving force behind the need to improve coastal water quality. Pressing on key pieces of legislation, collating health evidence and connecting previously disparate groups of surfers into what became one of the best-recognised environmental campaign movements of the 1990s.
In 2012, Surfers Against Sewage widened its focus and was established as a national marine conservation charity focused on the protection of waves, oceans, beaches, marine wildlife and coastal communities.
Today, water quality remains a core campaign alongside tackling other issues such as marine litter and coastal developments.
It is a sobering fact that plastic on our beaches has increased by 180% in the last 20 years, and its presence is causing serious problems for the health of our oceans. It is estimated that over 100,000 marine animals and over a million sea birds die every year as a direct result of marine litter. The majority of this is plastic. On average there are 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in every square mile of ocean.
Marine plastic pollution, is now Surfers Against Sewage’s top priority ; their goal – plastic free coastlines.
There are several way that you can get involved with Surfers against Sewage.
1 Join a beach clean. In 2016 there were over 950 SAS beach cleans around the whole of the UK. These were attended by over 19,400 people who between them removed in excess of 64 TONNES of marine litter. It is hoped that even more people will turn out this year for the annual Spring Big Beach Clean which takes place at various locations around the coastline between 3rd – 9th April.
2 Stop plastic pollution by saying no to single use plastics and signing the petition to introduce a deposit return system for plastic bottles in the UK. Find out more about the Message in a Bottle Campaign at www.sas.org.uk/messageinabottle
3. Report any pollution that you find around the coast. SAS is working tirelessly to reduce pollution entering the marine environment and relies on a strong network of supporters, volunteers and regional reps to help
4. Support your local SAS Rep. Get in touch with your local SAS to volunteer at events, take action on local issues, fundraise, organise community beach cleans. Find out more at www.sas.org.uk/regions-reps
For more information on Surfers against Sewage and how you can get involved please visit their website www.sas.org.uk