An expedition by the Greenpeace ship Beluga II has revealed high levels of plastic pollution around the famous Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth.
Shocking images reveal plastic around eggs in nests and strewn across the island, and even in the birds’ beaks. Unfortunately, the groups says this phenomenon is not rare, as it is estimated that up to 90% of seabirds have ingested plastic.
The findings come at the beginning of research conducted during the Beluga II’s scientific voyage around Scotland, which runs until the end of June. They will document the impact of plastic pollution on some of the UK’s most precious wildlife like puffins, gannets and basking sharks.
“Being surrounded by tens of thousands of gannets on the Bass Rock is a stunning spectacle – but it’s seabirds like these which are acutely threatened by ocean plastic pollution,” said Willie Mackenzie, oceans expert at Greenpeace UK. “We found plastic bags, packaging, bits of old fishing gear and even crisp packets strewn across the island.”
”It’s no wonder that that studies have shown that 90% of seabirds have eaten plastic.”
Beluga II will continue her two-month expedition around the Scottish coast until the end of June. The trip is conducted by students and crew from Exeter University.
