A new campaign has been launched to help take better care of four beach destinations in Ayrshire.
The beaches at Ayr, Troon, Saltcoats/Ardrossan and Irvine are part of seven Scottish destinations where Keep Scotland Beautiful will focus its attention.
Following World Oceans Day on Wednesday, June 8, the environmental charity has launched its 2022 My Beach Your Beach campaign, encouraging everyone to look after our beaches and help improve bathing water quality and safety.
This year, the campaign will focus on seven of the country’s well-loved beaches through targeted interventions to change behaviour.
The selected beaches are Ayr, Troon, Saltcoats/Ardrossan, Irvine, Fisherrow Sands, Portobello and Kinghorn, who have all faced challenges in improving the quality of their bathing water, as measured by SEPA.
Heather Mclaughlin, campaigns coordinator with Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Through this campaign we want to encourage everyone who goes to the beach, whether they live in an area or are visiting, to value and care for it. Working together, partners, communities and individuals have really raised awareness of bathing water quality.
“Waste from animals or litter is not just unsightly, it can have a negative impact on the environment.
“The message is simple; respect and enjoy our sand and sea this summer – it’s your beach.”
The campaign is funded by the Scottish Government and supported by SEPA.
Ruth Stidson, principal scientist (bathing waters) at SEPA, said, “Protecting and improving our bathing waters is crucial for our environment, our local economies which rely on beach tourism and our visitors, whether local, domestic or international.
“SEPA works every day to protect and enhance Scotland’s stunning environment and we are committed to ensuring all of Scotland’s designated bathing waters meet water quality standards.”
Since 2018, My Beach Your Beach has worked to raise awareness of bathing water quality and the role we can all play, whether on the beach or at home, to protect the sand and sea.
Simple habits can help improve bathing waters, including taking litter away and leaving the beach cleaner than you found it; bagging and binning dog poo to keep everyone safe and not feeding the gulls.
Environment minister Màiri McAllan added: “Everyone can enjoy Scotland’s beautiful beaches and bathing waters this summer, with 99 per cent of designated sites passing quality standards.”
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