‘More abandoned boats are being targeted for recycling after a successful pilot project in south Devon’ the BBC reports.

A report into the pilot project identified ‘delayed awareness in the issues we now face’ with the management and disposal of fibreglass vessels. ‘Essentially, this results in the maritime version of fly tipping, but with a wider and deeper environmental impact.’

With ‘no requirement in the UK to register ownership of a vessel, insure or hold qualifications for its operation’, at the end of the vessel’s useful life, ‘owners ‘are left with something they cannot afford to moor or maintain. It is a simple matter to either sell on or walk away from a vessel. As there is no registration system, it is very difficult to trace owners or hold them accountable’.

‘The challenge associated with both abandoned and EOL [end of life] vessels is that, until the implementation of this pilot, there was no available or practicable solution within the UK.’

Read the full report to understand the scope of the challenge and options moving forwards for this growing problem.

‘Dive into our magical underwater world with The Wildlife Trusts’ annual celebration of all things marine! This year’s theme is ‘Sea’ the Connection and we’ll be highlighting how as an island nation we are all closely connected to the sea and why a healthy thriving marine environment matters.’

National Marine Week (27th July to 11th August).

Visit the Wildlife Trusts for more information.

Want to litter pick your local coastal environment at another time of year? It’s easy to Get involved.

‘A wet winter has meant it’s been a difficult start to the year for many farmers. Facing reduced early crop yields or worse still, zero yields, the temptation to cut costs or diversify, to find additional income is more tempting than ever.

Unfortunately, this makes farmers an ideal target for unscrupulous waste operators who are more than willing to take advantage of people under greater financial pressure. Whether it is an offer of a “cheap tip” of materials that can be used to repair roads and tracks or an agreement to secure land for spreading or storage of materials in farm buildings.’

This Environment Agency blog provides useful precautions for landowners to protect themselves from waste criminals.

‘As a rule of thumb, if it has been removed from somewhere, it is surplus to requirements or it has been through some kind of sorting or treatment process (such as crushing) it’s safer to assume it is a waste.’

The Clean Devon partnership will be attending this year’s Devon County Show (16th – 18th May) to highlight our work tackling litter and fly tipping in the county, and the duty of care we all have to keep our communities litter-free.

We would also like to encourage residents to take part in community litter picking which is not only personally rewarding but essential to protect our natural habitats, wildlife and livestock.

We are also delighted to be sharing our stand with Trading Standards who are responsible for enforcing many of the recent restrictions which aim to reduce litter in our communities such as the recent single use plastics ban.

With a ban on single use vapes just one year away, Stop for Life Devon will also be on hand to raise awareness of the free support that’s available for eligible people in Devon to give up smoking.

The Clean Devon stand is situated within the Devon County Council zone (road 8) so drop by for a chat to see what we are doing, and what we all can do to reduce litter in this fantastic County.

‘The modern way to find many of the services, trades, and products we need to buy is to look online. It’s quick, easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

But it is a minefield of hidden dangers.

Criminals are lying in wait on social media platforms, apps, and selling platforms that you use.

Criminals dealing in waste are no different.

Did you know, you are responsible for making sure anyone you pay to take away your rubbish is a registered waste carrier?’

See this Environment Agency blog, it’s easy and quick to check