Clean Coasts Ballynamona now tidying beaches on over 80kms of coastline 

Tackling pollution and enhancing flora and fauna around Ireland's coasts has become a matter of national urgency, says founder

The 'Gator' was unveiled last April to help Clean Coasts Ballynamona to tackle the scourge of marine litter. Picture: Cathal Noonan

One of the country's most successful community biodiversity organisations, Clean Coasts Ballynamona in East Cork, is expanding its reach with the tidying of beaches now stretching to 80km, or 3% of the national coastline.

In light of the biodiversity crisis and new global commitments on climate change pledged at November's Cop26 United Nations summit in Glasgow, Clean Coasts Ballynamona said tackling pollution and enhancing flora and fauna around Ireland's coasts has become a matter of national urgency.