Recent East Grampian Beach Litter Trends (2021 - 2023)
Key Findings
In 2021 and 2023 the EGCP conducted beach litter surveys along the East Grampian coastline.
As of the summer of 2023, the general state of East Grampian Beaches was positive. 70% of beaches scored B or above, meaning 3/4 were clean to very clean. The trend from 2021 was of mixed success. The number of A grade beaches increased from 5 to 11, however the number of C and D grade beaches also increased slightly by 2. Distribution appears to show the more polluted beached concentrated in the Northern area of the survey range (fig. 2). (Lovie, 2023).
Variation in litter from beach to beach is due to variation in ocean currents and local activities. For example, locations nearer to busy fishing harbours and industrial areas will commonly see more industrial waste. Waste released to the ocean will then pile up in areas where the current carries it inland.
Take 4 for the shore' boxes were located at many of the beaches suveyed. This initiative is part of the EGCP's Turning the Plastic Tide project. The boxes provide litter pickers and bin bags, encouraging the public to help keep the beaches clean. This likely contribued to many of the popular public beaches remaining clean. (EGCP, 2024).
The most polluted locations were Sandford Bay in Peterhead, Fraserburgh Beach and Carignbulg Boat Haven, all scoring D. (Lovie, 2023)
Dead birds were a common sight along the beaches in 2023, due to the Avian Flu outbreak around Aberdeenshire in 2022/23 (Scottish Government, 2023)
Overall, the EGCP believes East Grampian beach litter levels are on a positive trajectory (Smith and Dunkley, 2023)
Fig. 1: East Grampian Beach Litter grades 2021
Fig. 2: East Grampian Beach Litter grades 2023
Notes
Survey Methodology: Various beaches along the East Grampian Coast were assessed, from Fraserburgh to Arbroath. 100 meters were walked along each beach, during which all litter was noted. A grading system was used to classify the beach cleanliness, from A (no litter) to D (extreme litter levels with public health risk). Note should be taken that in 2021, 23 beaches were surveyed, while 2 additional sites were selected for 2023. (Lovie, 2023)
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