Picture

Trusted Ad Partner

Nature Reserves: ​RSPB issues statement on plastic pollution washing up on Norfolk coast

18 March 2025
​​By James Hamilton
Picture

Individual and burnt clumps of plastic pellets on the shoreline at RSPB Titchwell Marsh. Credit: RSPB

​The RSPB has today issued a statement regarding plastic pollution, that has been washing up on the Norfolk coast this week.

​Steve Rowland, RSPB Area Manager, said: “We are today seeing plastic nurdles, pellets the size of lentils, washing up along miles and miles of Norfolk coast, including on our nature reserve at Titchwell. Some are loose and some are clumped together, they are charred and smell of kerosene. We believe they are from last week's tragic ship collision in the North Sea. 

“We are deeply concerned. This whole area, part of our East Coast Wetlands, is internationally important for birds and wildlife. It’s a crucial migration route at this time of year, a vital feeding place for seabirds, and soon the nesting site for rare and threatened terns and wading birds. This is a much-loved living coast, and we know people will be very concerned. 

“Currently the pollution is on the tideline, but we only have a few days to get this off the beaches before rising tides disperse the debris and it is washed back into the sea and into the food chain. This is a real race against time – we've got about seven days before the tides change. 
​
“The RSPB is in touch with the authorities, and an emergency response is being planned.  If you are on the beaches, please do not touch this material and keep dogs away from it.”
Picture

Individual and burnt clumps of plastic pellets on the shoreline at RSPB Titchwell Marsh. Credit: RSPB
OTHER POPULAR STORIES TO READ:​​​