Mixed results for Galway’s coastal areas in latest survey with one popular spot deemed littered
It was a mixed bag of results for Galway’s coastal areas in the latest survey conducted on behalf of Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).
An Taisce carried out reports on 33 beaches, harbours, and rivers across Ireland on behalf of IBAL this summer including three frequented spots in Galway: Loughrea, Dog’s Bay, and Salthill.
Of the 33 environments observed, 17 of them were deemed ‘clean’ and three were categorised as ‘littered’, including one coastal spot in Galway. Data from the previous survey shows significant changes with a 50pc increase in clean areas and eight areas falling from the ‘littered’ category.
Salthill moved down into ‘moderately littered’ as the main litter items presenting concern were cigarette buds despite there being enough regular and cigarette bins throughout the Prom. Lower levels of general trash like bottle caps, cans, fishing equipment, and wrappers were reported along the beach side.
An Taisce praised the Salthill landscape for the Bio Based Carbon Captured bags, made from sugar cane, spotted in changing areas where bins were further away from the public as well as water fountain provisions.
Dog’s Bay however fell into the ‘littered’ category for heavy rubbish in car parking areas including bags placed along the portaloos. Fishing related and camping items were also found behind the wall of the car park as evidenced by the remnants of a campfire and clothing scattered throughout.
Additionally, the report established Loughrea as “exceptionally freshly presented and maintained” continuing that there was a “virtual absence of litter”. No remarkable signs of litter were reported on the beachside or foot paths.
There were no areas reflected in the lowest rated category ‘heavily littered’.
IBAL’s Conor Horgan said this is the “most favourable” ratings reported in the eight years of surveying.
“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, food wrapping, and sweet papers were among the most common items found in the survey. Eight million tonnes of plastic waste escape into coastal areas and the ocean every year according to National Geographic, affecting over 2,000 wildlife species.
An Taisce is set to host the Big Beach Clean Up September 19-21 which is expected to attract 600 groups and 15,000 volunteers nationwide to clean up Ireland’s beaches.