No matter how small an amount you take, it is illegal to take ‘natural materials’ from any beach in the UK and this includes pebbles or seashells. Many people don’t realise this. The illegality of the pastime originates in the Coast Protection Act.
And Cumberland Council are cracking down on violations of this law saying that people who take pebbles or seashells from Cumbrian beaches could be fined as much as £1000. The council wants to protect the environment and pebbles and seashells et cetera help to mitigate against coastal erosion. Coastal erosion is quite an important topic in the UK.
Bob Kelly, Cumberland’s executive member for policy and regulatory services said: “I understand people’s reluctance to follow this guidance as I have been a collector of shells myself. Taking a pebble or a shell from a beach can damage the environment. Pebbles and other natural matter act as a natural sea defence against erosion, natural flood defences and wildlife habitats, which many experts warn has become even more of an issue due to climate change.”
My thanks to The Times newspaper of Tuesday, May 7th 2024 for this story. Below is some more information about the Coast Protection Act 1949, which may interest you.
Here’s a breakdown of its key points:
- Main Goal: Protects the coastline of Great Britain from erosion and flooding by the sea.
- Who enforces it: Local authorities bordering the coast become the “Coast Protection Authorities” with the responsibility to carry out coast protection works.
- What it allows: The Act empowers these authorities to construct, improve, repair, or even remove coastal defense mechanisms. They can also operate outside their jurisdiction if necessary.
- Permissions and Funding: Approval from the relevant government body (e.g., Scottish Executive) is required for some actions. The Act also allows for government grant aid to support these coastal protection projects.
- Not the only player: While the Coast Protection Act is a key piece of legislation, other acts like the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Land Drainage Act 1991 also play a role in managing coastal flood defenses.
Overall, the Coast Protection Act provides a framework for a coordinated approach to safeguarding the UK’s coastline from the effects of erosion and rising sea levels.
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