Plastic pellets wash up on Brancaster Beach

The collision occurred off the Yorkshire coast, but winds and tides have resulted in these plastic pieces, which range in size, being scattered along the Norfolk and south Lincolnshire coast.

Brancaster Beach clear-up operation

Visitors to Brancaster Beach in Norfolk may have seen signs of these plastic pellets (called nurdles) and pieces of burnt plastic resin along the shoreline.

Contractors working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have been on site assessing the debris that has washed up. They gathered up the pieces of plastic and moved them beyond the tide line, ready to be removed from the beach.

On 20 March, the next phase of the clean-up operation took place, co-ordinated by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council with support from specialist contractors. 

We are pleased to report that all large patches of washed-up debris have been removed from Brancaster Beach safely. And so far, we have not seen any visible signs at Blakeney Point Nature Reserve or Stiffkey saltmarshes.

On 26 March, with rising tides, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council appointed the spill response company, Oracle, to use a special mechanical vacuum to help collect some of the smaller pellets along the strandline. 

As a conservation charity, we're incredibly grateful for the response and support we've received from multiple agencies and authorities to this developing situation. 

Wildlife concerns

Any pollution incident can have a devastating impact on wildlife and this is a vital time for many migratory birds as they return to our shores for the breeding season such as terns, as well as marine life including seals and fish.

We remain deeply concerned about the volume of smaller nurdles that have washed ashore, which will be difficult to remove, as well as the long-term impact of this plastic pollution on the coast and its wildlife.

Due to their small size, these plastic pellets could continue to be washed up for weeks and months to come.

What might you see?

• Small semi-translucent balls, which are the "raw" plastic that is later moulded into everyday items. Some of these are charred by the intense fire that followed the collision.
• Small clumps of blackened pellets, where the individual pellets have melted together in the heat.
• Larger masses of plastic debris.

What to do if you spot something?

Members of the public are advised not to touch or collect this debris and to keep dogs on leads in the area. 

If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the Norfolk coast, the guidance is to call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. If possible, please provide a 'What Three Words' location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location.