South West beach the worst

Plastic is endangering marine and birdlife along South West beaches, according to a report from the CSIRO released this week.

The research into the amount of litter on beaches around Australia pinpointed a South West beach as the worst in the State for the amount of rubbish collected on it.

Researchers from the CSIRO visited 170 sites and did 575 surveys around the country to measure the amount and type of litter.

CSIRO scientist Denise Hardesty said the litter problem typically became worse, when compared to population density, on stretches that had few people living nearby.

Beaches, like Bunburys Back Beach, were often cared for by members of the community who used it regularly, Dr Hardesty said.

The worst beach in the State for litter was Ellensbrook Beach near Margaret River and the best was 80 Mile Beach in Broome.

Dr Hardesty said people liked to think the litter was washing onto shores from other countries, but the reality was most of it originated in Australia.

She said the biggest issue they saw was from plastics and fishing gear.

Soft plastics like bags were often eaten by animals such as turtles, whales and dolphins and the same animals also became entangled in fishing lines and nets.

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South West beach the worst