The Clean Coast Programme is a coastal management programme which is run in Ireland by An Taisce. The programme has been running successfully in Ireland since 2001 and in South East Cork since 2008 in conjunction with SECAD (South East Cork Area Development).

There are currently over 100 registered Coastcare groups in Ireland, 7 of which are situated in the Harbour area, they are located on the Great Island, Agahada, Ringaskiddy, Crosshaven and Blackrock. The types groups involved in the programme are wide and varied, including schools, community councils, youth clubs and sporting clubs.

The main aim of the programme is to maintain and protect the Irish coastline in sustainable way by supporting, training and facilitating groups who become Coastcare groups under the Clean Coast programme. This can be done by promoting and supporting conservation activities, including regular beach clean ups, environmental awareness-raising and practical tasks which serve to improve the general amenity.

There are also small grants available to Coastcare Groups. The type of items these grants cover are, clean up equipment, administrative cost and room hire or it could even go towards the cost of an expert guest speaker giving a talk on the wildlife and natural history of your local coastal area.

Some of the coastal issues Coastcare groups are dealing with alongside their local Clean Coast Officer, local authority and other relevant statutory bodies are, amenities, water quality, accessibility, provision of lifesaving equipment, the monitoring and the reporting of illegal dumping, the presence/ or lack of signage, evidence of pollution, and other potential dangers.

There is also the opportunity to put forward your chosen beach for a Green Coast Award, the award is similar to the Blue Flag Award but is aimed at smaller, rural beaches which do not have the same amenities as some of the larger more well known beaches. This award acknowledges beaches which meet excellent bathing water quality standards, but which are also prized for their natural, unspoilt environment.

As the Clean Coast Programme is an environmental education programme, a number of Biodiversity outings have been taking place in and around the harbour, the most recent took place at Rostellan SPA (Special Protection Area) on Saturday the 5 th of December, talks were given by local ornithologist Jim Wilson and Dr. Michael John O Mahony of An Taisce. They spoke about the various birdlife and wildlife to be seen in the area. There was a great turnout despite poor weather conditions and a genuine interest to learn about the wildlife present in the area was shown by all in attendance. The talks were then followed by clean up of Inch beach, east of the harbour.

If you are interested in the Clean Coast programme and would like some more information you can contact: Olivia Crossan - Clean Coast Officer - email: oliviacoastcare@gmail.com or Tel: 087 2045259

You can also find out more information on the Clean Coast Web Site: www.cleancoastproject.org