Marine Life & Conservation
What is wrong with these people? The problem of dog waste…
I had a nice surf this morning. The sun was just rising over the hill at Sennen in Cornwall. The swell was small but clean, and the sea temperature still not too cold for this time of year. I jogged from the van to the beach, feeling pretty good, until I saw the ever too common plastic bag of dog sh*t neatly placed on a rock half way to the water. This is a sight we are seeing far too often these days, be it in the country, along side roads, in parks, on the beaches; it’s everywhere.
Think about the two items. Dog sh*t and plastic bags. Both on their own are pretty repulsive, but together and not properly disposed of, they are on a whole new level of wanton pollution. On the beaches, people are often in the public eye with their dogs and so do the right thing by picking up the poo in a plastic bag. But then, perhaps while no one is watching, they put the bag down and leave it for someone else to find and take care of. They should know – there are no dog sh*t fairies and even if there were, they wouldn’t find it in a plastic bag.
So what happens to it. Seagulls may rip it open in the forlorn search of food. Small kids may pick it up to see what it is and if left above the high water mark, sooner or later someone is going to stand in this well preserved bag of waste. But, if it is left on the beach and below the high water mark, then it is going to end up in the sea. More plastic to pollute our already overstretched oceans. It’s disgusting, it’s vile, it’s unnecessary, it’s lazy and it’s anti-social.
The thing that prompts me to write on this occasion is that the offending bag was placed on a rock not 50 meters from an official council dog poo waste bin. Whoever did this needs naming and shaming. If you see people doing this, have a word with them or at least try to take a photo and put it on social media. It has to stop.
Put it in a bin or take it home and hang it on a branch in your own garden!
Marine Life & Conservation
Steve Backshall to headline Shark Trust’s flagship event: For the Love of Sharks
Join a host of amazing, shark loving, speakers including Steve Backshall and the Shark Trust team for an evening celebrating shark conservation at the Royal Geographical Society in London this November.
Date: 29th November 2024
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Royal Geographical Society, London
Tickets: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The event will be a celebration of all things shark. Those lucky enough to get hold of tickets will hear from engaging guest speakers with a passion for sharks.
The line-up includes (*subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise)
Steve Backshall: One of television’s busiest presenters, BAFTA award-winning wildlife expert Steve has been passionate about the wild world ever since he was young.
Steve’s impressive TV career has taken him all around the world, investigating a wide array of species and environments. Steve has filmed over 100 hours of children’s wildlife programmes with the BAFTA award winning Deadly 60 franchise and recently, with Sky Nature, for his new series ‘Whale with Steve Backshall’. He has been a patron for the Shark Trust for 10 years.
Simon Rogerson: is a photojournalist specialising in natural history, diving and the sea.
He is editor of SCUBA magazine, the official journal of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Simon started his career as a crime reporter but gravitated towards his ‘less depressing’ interest in underwater exploration, joining the staff of DIVE magazine in 1999. In 2005 he was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the PPA’s Independent Publishing Awards. Simon also works as a freelance writer, contributing frequently to the Sunday Times and Telegraph, in addition to BBC Wildlife, Esquire, and a host of international diving magazines. He is the author of a book, Dive Red Sea, published by Ultimate Sports. Now based in Berkshire, Simon has been a Patron of the Shark Trust for 20 years.
More speakers to be announced soon. Head to the Shark Trust website to learn more.
The evening will also allow guests the final chance to see the Oceanic 31, shark art exhibition. Some of the artwork will be auctioned/raffled at the event, while the rest will be auctioned online to raise money for the Shark Trust Oceanic Programme.
For the Love of Sharks is an evening with something for everyone who is interested and fascinated by sharks. Join the Shark Trust, their Patrons, Trustees and Staff, along with a host of supporters for this celebration of shark conservation.
For more information or to buy a ticket: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
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