Marine biology student Katarina Martin, from Blyth, is teaming up with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to lead a community beach clean during National Marine Week. The event, scheduled for Sunday, August 9, from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Blyth Beach, aims to tackle litter while educating participants on local seaweed species.
Katarina, who studies at Newcastle University, has been passionate about marine life since childhood, having grown up along the Northumberland coast. With every UK resident living within 70 miles of the sea and millions visiting the coast each summer, litter poses a significant threat to marine environments. Katarina is urging locals to help protect the coastline through this special Marine Week event.
Event Details and Activities
The Marine Week Beach Clean and Seaweed Spotting event offers attendees the chance to remove litter from the beach while learning to identify various seaweed species found along the North East coast. All equipment will be provided free of charge, but advance booking is required to ensure sufficient resources. Free tickets can be reserved at www.nwt.org.uk/events.
Katarina expressed her deep connection to the area, stating: "The North East coast has my heart as I've grown up around it and it is so criminally underestimated. To me, the ocean is the most important thing on the planet. It provides life to us and if there's no ocean then there's no humans."
Hidden Gems of the Rocky Shores
She highlighted the region's underwater diversity, noting: "Northumberland has a diverse natural landscape existing beneath the waves, including seagrass meadows and soft corals, not to mention the wonderful dolphins which appear each year. The rocky shores also contain such hidden gems. The trick is noticing the unnoticed, which is what I will be doing at the event, so come and join me."
This free event is part of Northumberland Wildlife Trust's Championing Nature Project, supported by The Championships, Wimbledon and Emirates.
