We always spend a bit of time rockpooling after our beach cleans. As a seasoned environmental protester, I have learnt that we must always balance the negative with the positive, the anger at the desecration with a top-up of the love and joy that happens when we connect to the natural world. It’s a such a pleasure to discover the crabs, sea anemones, fish and colourful seaweeds in the myriad rockpools at both ends of the bay, and sometimes we’re even lucky enough to see dolphins amongst the waves.
Before we part company and leave the bay, we always discuss our findings and what we can do at home. It’s great to recycle, but it’s also good to choose products that last, made from natural materials. When heading to the beach, take your own stainless-steel refillable drinking water container. Don’t buy the polystyrene bodyboards, but invest in a beautiful wooden belly board and keep it all your life. Re-use, share or borrow buckets and spades, rather than picking a new one up each year on the beach. And join a beach clean when you can.
As anthropologist Margret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Alex Fisher can be found on Instagram
Explore Coast magazine