The vast majority of the fossils revealed on this rapidly eroding part of the Jurassic Coast hold very little scientific importance and are not in need of protection or recording (Letters, 28 August). Museums around the world have countless examples of the common fossils from these Lower Jurassic rocks, thanks to the efforts of fossil collectors, who since the pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning (1799–1847) have saved fossils from the same process that reveals them, the action of the sea.
The majority of these scientifically important fossils are saved from destruction after the winter storms, not during the peak tourist season in the summer. Allowing tourists to collect and take home their discoveries helps them foster a sense of curiosity and encourages an interest in the natural world, which is especially important for future generations.
