SEA LIFE centres across the UK and Ireland are asking for volunteers to help as part of a global beach clean-up event on World Ocean Day (8th June).

Global marine conservation charity, SEA LIFE Trust has announced its biggest clean-up mission yet – a 24hr beach clean event that will take place across the world at SEA LIFE attractions from Sydney to Brighton.

World Ocean Day is an international day that aims to increase public interest and awareness of how to protect the planet’s seas and how to sustainably manage its resources.

As such, volunteers who take part in the beach clean across the UK and the world will be encouraged to spread this message across social media platforms; sharing their best ‘Global Beach Clean’ pictures with the hashtag #GlobalBeachClean to help raise awareness of the dangers pollution has within our waters and to our sea creatures.

Due to ongoing issues with plastic and contamination, the need for events such as the Global Beach Clean is crucial in creating a safer environment for sea creatures to exist in.

It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans each year and that by 2050, these waters could have more plastic than fish. Of all the plastic that has ever entered the ocean, it is estimated that just 1% is floating on the surface, whilst the rest sits below on the seabed or in the stomachs of marine animals.

SEA LIFE Weymouth’s Animal Care Team will be taking the beach clean one step further as they set out to dive to look for the rubbish found beneath the surface on the seabed, to help reduce the risk of this damaging the wildlife.

Graham McGrath, the Head of SEA LIFE Trust, said: “Most of the littered plastic waste worldwide ultimately ends up at sea. The litter washing up on our local shores is not just unpleasant to look at; it also harms and kills our precious wildlife. Hundreds of species of marine wildlife including seals, seabirds, turtles and whales have mistaken marine litter for food resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages.”

Tamsin Mutton-McKnight, General Manager at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park said: “This Global Beach Clean provides a simple and effective way in which everybody can help to turn the tide on litter within local waters wherever they live, starting with their own local riverbanks, park or beach. In the past SEA LIFE has hosted successful clean-ups but this year we want to focus on working with our sister attractions across the globe to come together and focus our attention on what we see as a global crisis.”