Published: Wednesday, 9th April 2025
Update about the beach clean-up operation that began three weeks ago (19 March) by the borough council and partner agencies following the tanker collision in the North Sea.
Plastic nurdles had begun washing up on the West Norfolk coastline and were being recovered by the clean-up team. Cllr Sandra Squire, Cabinet member for Environment and Coastal, said:
“With many agencies scaling back their operational role here and moving from a proactive to a reactive response it is right for our cleanup teams and other departments, who have done exceptional work dealing with this emergency, to focus on their regular day-to-day responsibilities.
“790,000 individual plastic nurdles and additional burnt fused nurdle mats have been recovered from West Norfolk beaches by our teams, along with partner agencies and landowners, but I urge people to continue to report if they find more of this pollution washing up on our coastline by completing the online form for our teams to go and clear.
“While the primary responsibility for addressing this pollution rests with the polluter, there is likely to be opportunities for voluntary community involvement in future clean-up efforts. Given the nature of the pollution, any public participation would be supported with appropriate training and guidance from the council.”
Officers from North Norfolk District Council helped West Norfolk Council staff plan and carry out a clear-up of Scolt Head Island last week. With an internationally important bird population, and with bird nesting season beginning, it was vital to carry this work out without disturbing the wildlife on the island.
Hayley Roan, Senior Sites Manager, RSPB Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham, said this is an additional concern for sea and shorebirds visiting our coastline:
"It’s deeply frustrating that charities, landowners, and local authorities are left to clean up the mess caused by industrial pollution. While we’re grateful for the collaboration between agencies and landowners to protect our coastline, nurdles should never have reached our beaches, and the cost and responsibility should not fall on the public or environmental charities. These small but hazardous plastic pellets pose a significant risk to our internationally important bird populations. We're particularly worried as these plastics could be mistaken for food and enter the food chain.
“This is an internationally important area for wildlife, and rare and threatened species are just returning to breed. Our coastal areas are living landscapes that support not only wildlife but also industries like fishing and tourism, which provide thousands of jobs. The UK is globally important for its seabirds, yet we’ve already seen a 62% decline in seabird populations over recent decades.
“Alongside the urgent need for continued beach clean-ups, this incident serves as a stark reminder of why we must protect our seabirds' breeding grounds, ensure they have access to plentiful food, and reduce their mortality rates. The government must step up its support to help our seabirds recover and thrive."
Victoria Egan, General Manager for the National Trust on the Norfolk Coast said:
"As a conservation charity, we're incredibly grateful for the response and support we've received from multiple agencies and authorities in cleaning up the plastic pellets that have washed ashore at Brancaster Beach.
“We have been closely monitoring Blakeney Point for any signs of plastic pollution in the wake of last month’s North Sea collision between the Stena Immaculate and the Solong, and unfortunately clumps of burnt plastic nurdles have now been found on the strandline.
“Our rangers will be carrying out a comprehensive Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Techniques survey, which will help to determine the extent of the pollution, its proximity to nesting ringed plovers, and the most appropriate clean-up approach for this sensitive environment.
"We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this plastic pollution on the Norfolk coast and its wildlife, which could continue to be washed up for weeks and months to come. Any pollution incident can have a devastating impact on wildlife and this is a vital time for many migratory birds as they return to our shores for the breeding season, as well as marine life including seals and fish."
If you find nurdle pollution, please report it online at west-norfolk.gov.uk/coastalissue. Our cleanup teams will investigate and remove the pollution they find. The council still advises that you do not handle it and please do not let dogs ingest any of it.