Beach-goers across the north-east are being urged to do their bit to help protect marine wildlife from litter and pollution.
An estimated eight million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year, with many marine animals mistakenly ingesting it as they believe it is a food source.
A global movement to reduce plastic in the oceans and seas is gathering steam and one strand of this has been the Take 3 for the Sea campaign.
Now Mairi Gougeon, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, is encouraging visitors to St Cyrus and Forvie nature reserves to take part in the international campaign.
The initiative encourages people to remove three small pieces of rubbish from the beach every time they visit.
They then can place litter in the bins at the Scottish Natural Heritage-run reserve car parks or take plastics and other recyclables home to recycle.
Ms Gougeon said: “Forvie and St Cyrus both have wonderful beaches, which many people enjoy and which support all kinds of wildlife.
“Marine plastic poses a dangerous threat to these birds and animals.
“That’s why I’m so enthusiastic about this grassroots campaign to get us all involved in keeping our marine wildlife safe.
“And of course you don’t have to stop at three, every item you pick up will make a big difference.”
This year Forvie marks its 60th anniversary as a national nature reserve, while St Cyrus was first designated as one in 1962.
Theresa Alampo, St Cyrus reserve manager, said: “St Cyrus and Forvie are two stunning areas and it’s a real shame whenever the view is spoiled by litter washing ashore.
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“Worse still is the effect rubbish has on marine wildlife.
“The community takes pride in our litter-free beach and we want this to continue.
“This is an easy and effective way for each person to make a real difference.”
Meanwhile, the East Grampian Coastal Partnership’s beach clean-up initiative, Turning the Plastic Tide, is also planning to include up to four additional litter picking stations along the north-east coast, to support the Take 3 campaign.
