Conservationists and campaigners have warned about elevated threats to birds and other wildlife as pollution levels rocket.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust have sounded the alarm after burnt material and plastic nurdles have been found along the North East England coastline. Nurdles are the world’s second most common form of microplastic pollution.
The situation poses a threat to marine and bird life, with a significant risk of the small pellets being mistaken as sources of food. The heightened risk is a direct result of last week’s collision between a tanker and cargo ship off the coast of East Yorkshire, resulting in fires aboard both vessels.
‘We’re very concerned about the nurdles and burnt material that is adrift at sea as well as being washed up along The Wash and the Norfolk coast following the tanker collision last week – and we will continue to support the authorities in their efforts to clean-up the pollution,’ said Tammy Smalley, Head of Conservation at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
‘If seabirds eat nurdles they can die from choking or starvation,’ she continued. ‘At this time of the year there is also the risk that the birds return to their nests and feed the nurdles to their chicks. The plastic may also work its way up the food chain to larger marine mammals which feed on fish or smaller animals which have eaten nurdles.’
Rather than attempting to touch and remove pieces of plastic, the public have been issued the following guidance from the HM Coastguard and Maritime Agency:
‘If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the Norfolk coast or surrounding areas please call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. If possible, please provide a What3Words location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location.
‘Nurdles are small plastic pellets and one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution at sea – once they’re released into the waves they’re very hard to clear up. We already have a huge problem with plastic pollution along the coast of the North Sea and our volunteers spend hours dealing with this laborious task,’ added Smalley. ‘Unfortunately, the risks posed by nurdles increase when other pollutants become stuck to them. We urge members of the public to report nurdle sightings but to avoid touching them as they may have toxic pollutants stuck to them.’
Image: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
More waste, recycling and pollution: