Minister Alex Attwood recently joined volunteers from the Millisle and District Community Association, to help clean up the shoreline around Millisle.

Commenting on the beach clean-up Minister Attwood said: "Marine litter is widespread, unsightly and harmful to marine life and the environment. I am shocked at the quantity and variety of plastic debris and packaging that we have found. We may have left the beach much cleaner but the sea is still littered with rubbish.

"Many marine animals including turtles and whales die lingering deaths after eating plastic bags which they mistake for food items such as jellyfish. The problem can be addressed, but only by tackling it at the source and ensuring that waste is not washed down our rivers or thrown overboard into our seas."

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Continuing the Minister added: "The quantity of marine litter has doubled over the last 15 years. I have instructed DOE to bring forward a Marine Litter Strategy to tackle litter arriving both from the land and from the sea. The publication of a draft strategy for consultation is imminent and I will make sure that the final strategy includes challenging targets for reducing marine litter. The key elements of the Marine Litter Strategy have already discussed and supported within the Good Beach Summits. Last year I introduced the Clean Neighbourhoods legislation which gives district councils additional powers to tackle littering.

"Particularly in coastal areas, a strong economy will help to deliver high environmental standards. I want to promote the regeneration of our coastal towns and villages by helping to deliver the highest possible standards around our coastline. Growing tourism from £500million to a £1billion a year industry revolve around the positive protection of our natural environment. I will keep working with the Good Beach Summit which includes a wide a group of stakeholders who understand the issues and know the priorities."

(CD)