A monster haul from River Ness litterpick
A sizeable haul of litter was recently collected from the River Ness when 20+ members of the Inverness Sub Aqua Club completed their litterpick of the river.
Members carried out the underwater sweep along both banks of the river while staff from Highland Council’s TEC Services lifted the litter into two open-backed pick-up transit vans.
Alan McKinnie, Highland Council’s Waste Operation’s Manager with TEC Services said: “The divers did an excellent job, picking litter from the river that our staff simply cannot get to. Although we can sometimes see litter from the river bank, we need this specialist help from Inverness Sub Aqua Club to help us keep the River area clean and tidy. We are very grateful to them for their time and assistance.”
Inverness SAC’s Underwater Litterpick co-ordinator, Ian MacDonald said: “Friday evening was extremely busy on and around the River Ness with many fishermen, and tourists either fishing or walking along the banks. Our divers became a tourist attraction as people (mainly overseas visitors) stopped to watch and photograph us and ask what we were doing.
“Among the items that we found were the usual bottles and cans, and the more unusual things like an electric strimmer, a baby stair gate, traffic cones, temporary road signs and mobile phones.”
The BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 is running until the end of October and there is still plenty of time for you and your club to get involved.
The initiative is not only a great way for you and your fellow members to help tackle the issue of marine litter but can also generate excellent publicity for your club.
You can register for the BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 as a club or as an individual online. You will then be asked to complete at least one Underwater Litterpick dive before 31st October and complete the essential Survey form documenting the rubbish you retrieve.
All survey forms submitted to BSAC HQ will go towards their BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 report and also be sent to the Marine Conservation Society to help in their on-going research into marine debris around the UK.
For more information on the BSAC Underwater Litterpick 2013 click here.
