Brits heading to beaches this summer may want to double check the local rules and guidelines – or they could face hefty fees for an easy mistake
Brits planning a staycation this summer will want to take note of one habit that could land them with a £1,000 fine.
When heading to the beach, it doesn’t seem uncommon to pick up a shell or pebble to take home as a memento; but this seemingly harmless habit actually can have ramifications on an area’s eco-system, not to mention you could inadvertently be breaking the law.
In fact, the Coast Protection Act 1949 makes it illegal to remove natural materials from beaches, with the law aiming to protect coastal environments by preventing erosion and preserving natural habitats.
It’s not just pebbles and sand – the law covers any kind of natural materials taken from public beaches. (It’s worth noting that the Coast Protection Act applies to beaches across England and Wales only – Scotland has its own version.)
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Eco experts at Arbtech have warned that pebbles and sand play an important part in a beach’s natural defence against erosion, absorbing wave energy which protects cliffs, dunes, and inland areas.
They add that beach materials such as shells or driftwood can also provide microhabitats for wildlife, so taking these materials can directly disturb local ecosystems.
Andrew Ward from Arbtech said: “What may seem like a harmless holiday keepsake is, in fact, part of a delicate and vital ecosystem, and could even cost you a fine of up to £1,000. One person taking a pebble or shell may not seem like much, but when thousands of visitors are doing the same, it can have drastic impacts on the coastal environment.
“Over time we could start to see increased erosion, the loss of natural sea defences, and disruption to habitats that many species rely on. The law is clear and it’s not just there to spoil any fun. It’s a reminder that beaches are protected for a reason. We all have a role to play in preserving the environment so that it can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
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More often than not, beaches will have clear signs warning visitors against removing the pebbles and sands, and there have been reports in previous years of tourists being ordered to return pebbles to the beach, or face receiving a fine, even after they have left the coast.
It’s not the first time that tourists have been warned when it comes to rocks or pebbles in tourist hotspots. In recent years there’s been increasing calls for visitors to stop ‘rock stacking’, especially in national parks.
Rock stacks, or cairns, can be found on many of the highest peaks across the nation, and have become a popular activity for hikers. While rock stacking is seen by some as an art form, others have slammed the practice as just being an excuse for someone to take a photo for their social media feeds.
Meanwhile, environmental campaigners have warned that moving rocks from their spot on a beach or in the countryside can have a knock-on ecological effect, such as accidentally destroying a nest or home of local wildlife.
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