National week of action on marine litter launched in Dundee by Poseidon

Our national week of action focused on tackling marine litter from source to sea was launched in Dundee last Friday.

Source to Sea Week, which runs from 8 September until 15 September, began with Poseidon and a mermaid teaching St Joseph’s RC Primary School P6 pupils about the impact of litter on our waterways, seas and oceans.

Hosted by Dundee City Council, almost 70 pupils took part in a workshop where they learned about the source to sea pathway.

Poseidon and the mermaid then travelled to the V&A where they were joined by Dundee City Council’s Councillor Nadia El-Nakla, Vice Convenor of Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee, to engage with members of the public.

With 80% of all marine litter coming from land, Source to Sea Week aims to tackle marine litter at source and stop litter, which is washed into gutters, blown into streams or carelessly discarded, ending up in our seas.

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people of all ages taking an interest in Source to Sea Week and supporting our mission to stop marine litter at source.

“We know just how devastating our actions on land can be to our precious blue spaces so it is crucial that we all play our part to protect them.

“It’s also fitting that we launch this year’s initiative on a national level on the River Tay, a little more than two years after Upstream Battle on the Tay was launched at the V&A.

“In a short space of time we have achieved so much, but there is still so much to be done. By participating in Source to Sea Week you can help us keep Scotland’s seas beautiful.”

Dundee City Council’s Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Committee Depute Convener Nadia El-Nakla said: “Collaborative campaigns like Source to Sea Week put the spotlight on tackling the issue of marine litter in the River Tay.

“The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland, there are many ways of litter entering the river, by working together, we can tackle the litter at source while it is on land preventing it ever making its way into the waterway.

“I encourage individuals, groups of friends, and community groups to get involved, take part and make a difference. This could be through a litter pick, or just by conducting a litter survey in areas near the water while out and about.”

Source to Sea Week will take place until 15 September. Keep Scotland Beautiful is encouraging everyone to get involved through their Seven Daily Actions which includes the chance to win a £150 voucher.

Visit Source to Sea Week | Upstream Battle (keepscotlandbeautiful.org) for more information on Source to Sea.