The sea and beaches provide a wide range of recreational activities such as surfing, kayaking and sunbathing. Coastal towns benefit when tourists are attracted to these areas. Tourism brings increased income and employment to areas, as well as improvements in roads and services. The west coast of Ireland is a prime example of an area that has benefitted from tourism.
: Figure 10.23 Surfing in Lahinch
This interaction can also have a negative impact. People can cause erosion of sand dunes by walking over them, and often leave litter behind after a day at the seaside. Pollution can also occur when sewage from tourist resorts gets into the sea.
: Figure 10.24 Plastic containers washed up by the sea are an all-too-common sight on beaches all over the world
Go to page 40 of your Portfolio and complete the research activity on the Doonbeg Golf Club. PORTFOLIO ACT VITY 10.1
(a) What percentage of items found on beaches are made from plastic?
(b) How many items on average are found per square metre on New Zealand beaches?
(c) How many species of animals are affected by this type of pollution?
(d) Name a type of bird that is constantly affected by plastic pollution.
(e) How do plastic bags have an impact on turtles? (f) List three plastic items that are found on beaches. (g) How many million tonnes of plastic are we now producing worldwide?
(h) What has the town of Modbury in south Devon, England, done to help stop the problem of plastic pollution?
