SCUBAHUB
Underwater Litter Pick challenge
WITH SUMMER HOLIDAYS WELL AND truly upon us, there’ s still time to make your diving and snorkelling count with a BSAC Underwater Litter Pick or beach clean.
As the UK’ s‘ eyes under the sea’, BSAC members get to see firsthand the detrimental effect marine litter can have on marine life and ecosystems. So,
at what is most likely the most dive and snorkel-active time of your club year, incorporating a clean-up into your summer diving plans can make a difference.
BSAC hopes that its Underwater Litter Pick initiative will inspire members to leave the sea in a better condition, while also helping to shed light on the amount of waste finding its way into our waters.
Underwater Litter Picks – and their topside counterpart, Beach Cleans – can bring your club’ s divers, snorkellers, non-divers and their families together to help turn the tide on marine litter. And they are a good way for new BSAC Marine Champions to start incorporating more ways to protect the marine environment into their club.
Mary Tetley, BSAC CEO, said she hoped as many clubs as possible would take up the Underwater Litter Pick challenge.
“ Collecting litter on every dive can make a real difference, whether through a litter pick on a regular dive site, or a focused club effort during a longer dive trip. And the more BSAC members who get involved, the more positive impact we can have.”
Organisers can access the BSAC guidance on Underwater Litter Picks, which can be found at bsac. com / underwaterlitterpick when planning their event.
■ Email photos of your Underwater Litter Pick events and what you find to environment @ bsac. com Please also share on social media using # BeachClean and # BSACdivers
Date for the diary – sign up for a clean up
BSAC clubs and members can also extend their beach cleaning to support the Marine Conservation Society’ s Great British Beach Clean in September. To be held from 19 to 28 September, the campaign brings together volunteers all around the country in organised litter picks to clean up their local beaches. The marine charity’ s‘ flagship’ event, the data collected from the annual Great British Beach Clean directly supports MCS’ s research into marine debris. For more information on the Great British Beach Clean and to find a beach clean near to you, go to www. mcsuk. org / greatbritishbeachclean
Nominations welcome for instructor awards
HAVE YOU HAD A BRILLIANT experience with a BSAC diving or snorkelling instructor? Nominate them for the UK Coaching Awards 2025!
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