How to Beachcomb Sustainably
By Alison Sanderson
There are lots of treasures to be found on the beach, both small and large, and old and new. Whether you’re detecting precious metals, extracting prehistoric fossils, or simply on the lookout for sea glass that’s washed ashore, it’s important to stick to sustainability best practices so that marine life isn’t affected and we can all enjoy our natural spaces for years to come. Here’s how to keep your beachcombing adventure sustainable:
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Follow Leave No Trace principles
Following the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) will help you to enjoy the beach responsibly without causing harm to the environment:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Leave what you find (litter and man-made items are fine to take so long as doing so wouldn’t hurt marine life)
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
They may not all be relevant to every beachcombing trip — after all, you don’t need to camp overnight or light a campfire to find great pieces. However, they’re helpful to refer to while you’re planning your trip and can be really useful to refer back to while you’re out on the beach.
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Know which items to take or leave
Some items, although beautiful, are best left on the beach, as they play an important role in the ecosystem. For example, shells provide habitats for small marine animals, as does seaweed, kelp, driftwood and rocks.
On the other hand, any artificially made items can usually be taken home from the beach — in fact, you may be doing the marine life a favour by doing so. Animals can get caught up on plastic objects, fishing nets and lines, and other kinds of litter, leaving them at a disadvantage when it comes to catching prey and protecting themselves from predators.
If ever in doubt when you find an object, simply think about how leaving the object put would impact the environment. Will it cause harm to marine life and therefore be better off taken home, or is there a creature that may depend on it for food or protection? Take it on a case-by-case basis to ensure you’re making the right choice.
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Use sustainable tools
For a successful beachcombing trip, you need to have the right tools. A bucket or small bag for collecting your finds, a small shovel for digging, and water shoes or boots to protect your feet are all essential. You may also want to take a magnifying glass to identify small items, and a sifting pan to find buried treasure.
To beachcomb sustainably, ensure your tools are eco-friendly, such as by using a reusable bag rather than a plastic one that would eventually need to be thrown away. You could also use a metal bucket or one made from recycled materials instead of a plastic one, and opt for sturdy water shoes rather than flip flops that can be easily washed away.
Remember to keep yourself safe when spending time on the beach – lots of water in a reusable bottle and reef-safe sunscreen are a must.
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Give back with your finds
Any items you do take home from the beach could be put to good use by selling them to raise money for ocean conservation efforts. Consider selling any antiques or metal objects you find, or use materials like sea glass to create jewelry items that can then be sold.
Even if you don’t come across any big finds, you can still make an impact by removing any litter you find on the beach. It may be worth looking into organizations in your local area that you could get involved with — beach cleans are a popular activity with groups.
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Sustainability at the beach: why is it important?
When it comes to ocean sustainability stats, the numbers speak for themselves. With 71% of the Earth being made up of water, staying sustainable by the sea can have a far-reaching, lasting impact on our planet.
As a beachcomber, you’re uniquely positioned to make a positive difference. While you don’t have to devote all your time to ocean sustainability, simply picking up any litter you see here and there can help to tackle our pollution problem – currently, it’s estimated that eight million tonnes of plastic finds its way into our oceans each year. By doing your bit, you may influence other beachgoers to explore more responsibly too.
Ready for your beachcombing adventure? Knowing how you can enjoy your hobby while also protecting the environment will just make your beachcombing trip that much more rewarding. Be sure to explore with the Leave No Trace guidelines in mind and stay up to date with environmental concerns in your area, so you always know how you can best make a difference.
Alison Sanderson
Alison is a skilled beachcomber with an eye for spotting even the smallest pieces of treasure. She has a keen interest in ocean sustainability and contributes to a number of conservation efforts in her local area.
