Television's Campervan Cook Martin Dorey knows a lot about beaches as a keen surfer and al fresco cook.
He's also passionate – an over-used word these days, but quite justifed here – about the plastic flotsam and jetsam that plagues our coast. Most people just moan about it, but Martin actually does something. He's mounted a multi-front campaign using all forms of media, especially social media and the internet, which as he says successfully mobilises huge numbers of people.
Coastwise heard about sources of much of the plastic, and the targeted campaigns that Martin has mounted against manufacturers who accept no liability for their packaging that lands on our shores. However, his main mantra is that we have to do something ourselves, and hence the 2-Minute Beach Clean. Every time someone vists a beach, be they surfer, dog walker, bather or just there for enjoyment, they should take a bag and pick plastic for 2 minutes, and preferably take it home for recycling.
A simple and powerful message, and Martin makes it enjoyable to listen to. Coastwise has organised and participated in beach cleans, but this message of personal responsibility really struck home to our members.