CALLS are being made for the government to do more to tackle marine litter, as thousands of tonnes of waste is being washed up on Dorset's beaches every year.

The Government has published the measures it will take to restore UK seas to “Good Environmental Status" by 2020 as required by EU legislation known as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

But the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says it is 'extremely concerned' that the only measures in the plan are ones already being taken- because these aren't working.

The European Environment Agency reports that less than 20 per cent of EU marine habitats and species are in a healthy state. In UK seas alone, 28 species of mammal and fish are considered to be threatened – a key threat is the high level of litter found in the seas. MCS says its beach litter surveys have shown a doubling of litter found per kilometre of UK beaches surveyed over the last 20 years, and this is continuing to increase year on year.

Wildlife campaigner and photographer Steve Trewhella, who works to look after beaches and marine life across Dorset, said: "It's a huge problem and nothing is being done. We should let the beaches remain as they are and volunteers should stop pouring in hours of their time to clean land which belongs to the Crown estate, and when holidaymakers turn up in the summer, they can see what Dorset actually looks like. Only then will people realise.

"There's no legislation on what you can and can't do to the sea; the fishing and shipping industries are using it as a dump. There's sewage going right out in to the sea- when it rains and the drains are full they have to let it go so it doesn't end up on the streets.

"But we are the problem; our addiction to things we don't need.

"All the plastic that's ever been made still exists in one form or another. Plastic is not biodegradable; it lasts forever. Plastic from 50 to 60 years ago is now microplastic in the sea, being digested by marine life. Imagine what it will be like in 100 years time. Now consider that a third of the world's population relies on seafood as its main source of protein- its going to be inedible."

Although new charges for plastic bags from large retailers have been introduced, both the MCS and Mr Trewhella say this will not have an impact on the problem.

"If you're going to do a food shop and you've spend £200, what's 15-20p for some plastic bags? It's nothing, you're not going to care.

"We are so obscenely wasteful; we go to the shop and buy something that lasts a minute in plastic which will last forever. And we buy water in plastic bottles which is 500 times more expensive than tap water- we do this whilst there are people dying in the world because they don't have access to clean water. "

“To suggest that no new measures are needed to address the issue of litter is astonishing,” said Sue Kinsey, MCS senior pollution policy officer. “It’s inconceivable that current measures, such as such as existing legislation, the majority of which have been place for many years and have thus far failed to achieve a downward trend in marine litter, will be sufficient to reverse the increasing trend and achieve GES by 2020.

"The 5p charge for single-use plastic bags – 2 per cent of beach litter in 2014, is a step in the right direction. But much more is needed. A nationwide deposit scheme for drinks containers like plastic and glass drinks bottles and aluminium cans - 10 per cent of beach litter in 2014 and better disposal and recycling facilities for both commercial and recreational fishermen - 11 per cent of beach litter in 2014, are just some measures that should be considered to improve the situation in the next five years.”

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