More than a tonne of marine rubbish has been hauled from remote beaches around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly during a three-week sailing expedition.
A 16-person team from Clean Ocean Sailing (COS) travelled aboard the 118-year-old traditional sailing vessel The Annette to reach stretches of coastline where removing accumulated waste can be particularly difficult.
Volunteers visited nine islands during the expedition, as well as carrying out work around the Helford River, where the marine conservation charity is based.
The crew collected plastic and other man-made debris washed up along the shoreline, with more than a tonne recovered by the end of the mission.
Clean Ocean Sailing uses traditional sailing vessels as part of its low-impact approach to tackling marine pollution, allowing teams to access isolated beaches and coves that can be difficult to reach from land.
The latest expedition was supported by donations from members of the public through a crowdfunding campaign, alongside backing from businesses and organisations across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
They included the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Voices of Water Foundation, Isles of Scilly Travel, Seaware, Footman James, Ann’s Pasties and Wild Tribe Heroes.
But collecting the rubbish is only the first part of the project.
Clean Ocean Sailing will now work with schools, volunteers and members of the public to sort, count and weigh what was brought back from the coastline.
Information gathered during the process will help document the scale and type of marine pollution affecting the area and provide useful data about the potential threat it poses to wildlife.
Where possible, recovered materials will also be kept out of landfill and given a new purpose.
Plastic and other waste suitable for reuse will be passed on for recycling and repurposing, with materials potentially becoming anything from kayaks and plant pots to dog leads, mats, toys and keyrings.
Businesses and artists involved in finding new uses for recovered marine waste include Odyssey Innovation, Castaway Ropeworks, Ecotribo and One Blue Eye.
Clean Ocean Sailing’s work combines practical beach cleaning with education and community involvement, while using sailing to minimise the environmental impact of reaching remote locations.
The organisation is now encouraging people to get involved with the next stage of the project, as well as supporting future expeditions and volunteering opportunities.
More information about Clean Ocean Sailing and its latest campaign can be found through its Crowdfunder page or by following @cleanoceansailing on Instagram.