Latest news with #ProjectOneWave
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Tiny Scottish island becomes launchpad for major marine plastic pollution campaign
The island welcomed high-profile figures for a campaign to tackle ocean plastic pollution A tiny Scottish island has become the striking launchpad for a nationwide campaign to combat marine plastic pollution. Wee Cumbrae, a quiet island in the Firth of Clyde, recently welcomed high-profile figures for a drive to tackle plastic in the ocean. Conservationists, artists, and environmental campaigners all travelled as the starting point of Project One Wave, a new collaborative initiative led by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK and Seashell Clothing. The campaign aims to bring together the UK's most committed ocean conservation groups, businesses, creatives and policymakers to tackle the escalating issue of plastic pollution through beach clean-ups and underwater recovery efforts. In one of the project's first major events, 36 volunteers travelled to Wee Cumbrae to remove harmful debris from the shoreline of the island, which had a peak of 23 residents in the late 1800s. Items like cotton buds, bottle tops, and nurdles that pose serious threats to marine life were recovered. The following day, the group regrouped in Inverkip to sort the waste, preparing it for recycling and upcycling to ensure it never returns to the sea. Among the volunteers were several high-profile figures, including internationally acclaimed photographic artist Mandy Barker, dedicated seal rescuer Eden Willmott, and Scottish Influencer of the Year Laura Young. David Brown, co-owner of Seashell Clothing, hailed the growing movement: 'We have started a movement here in Project One Wave that is gathering real momentum. "The willingness and sheer want to get involved in this project by a rapidly growing number of individuals, organisations and businesses alike is hugely encouraging. "It is giving us the perfect platform to explore ideas together, whilst amplifying a positive message of collective ongoing efforts to tackle marine pollution here in the UK.' Rob Read, Chief Operating Officer of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, added: 'This should be a top priority. In the west of Scotland alone, local fishing boats lose over 600 tonnes of gear every year, nets, ropes and lines that become deadly traps. If we don't act now, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.' Owned by the Patanjali Yog Peeth Trust, Wee Cumbrae is more than just a stunning backdrop for this environmental effort. Rich in wildlife and history, the island once served as a royal hunting ground and now functions as a haven for nature and a spiritual retreat. It is home to the second-oldest lighthouse in Scotland, three castles, and a beach often visited by a colony of around 100 grey seals. Sunita Poddar, Trustee of the Patanjali Yog Peeth Trust, said: 'Wee Cumbrae is rich in history and wildlife so it's only fitting that it becomes the starting point for a movement as vital as Project One Wave. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "We're proud to welcome the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, Seashell Clothing and all the fantastic volunteers to the island, and to be a part of such an important effort to tackle pollution in our oceans.' With more clean-up events planned across the summer, preparations are also under way for the inaugural Project One Wave summit in Glasgow, scheduled for late October. Wee Cumbrae itself remains something of a hidden gem. Its only residents, caretakers Peter and Linda, tend to the main house and maintain the grounds, preserving a landscape steeped in Scottish heritage.
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
'Wee' Scottish isle used to launch anti-plastic drive
Acclaimed photographer Mandy Baker and 'climate influencer' Laura Young, known as 'Less Waste Laura', were among 36 volunteers who visited the island, which is home to Scotland's second oldest lighthouse. Meanwhile, the inaugural Project One Wave autumn summit is scheduled to take place in Glasgow in October. Seashell Clothing and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation are two of the groups behind the campaign, which aims to clean up Scotland's oceans - before it's too late. David Brown, co-owner at Seashell Clothing said: 'We have started a movement here in Project One Wave that is gathering real momentum, as the willingness and sheer want to get involved in this project by a rapidly growing number of individuals, organisations and businesses alike is hugely encouraging and it is giving us the perfect platform to explore ideas together, whilst amplifying a positive message of collective ongoing efforts to tackle marine pollution here in the UK.' Rob Read, Chief Operating Officer of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, also said: 'This should be a top priority. In the west of Scotland alone, local fishing boats lose over 600 tonnes of gear every year, nets, ropes and lines that become deadly traps. If we don't act now, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.''
The National
23-06-2025
- General
- The National
Scottish island at centre of ocean pollution campaign
Wee Cumbrae, a largely uninhabited island in the Forth of Clyde in the West of Scotland, has been visited by the Project One Team, a group made up of conservationists, artists and environmental activists. The project aims to protect marine life and restore coastal ecosystems as part of the Project One Wave campaign, led by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK and Seashell clothing. READ MORE: Natural phenomenon turns '100 miles of water' off Scottish coast jade green The campaign's mission is to unite ocean conservation groups, businesses, creatives and policymakers to tackle marine plastic pollution through beach clean-ups and underwater recovery efforts. A total of 36 volunteers visited Wee Cumbrae last month and recovered items like cotton buds, bottle top lids, nurdles and other hazardous items. They also visited Inverkip in Renfrewshire, where they sorted and prepared the waste they collected for the next step of the journey, which involves the recycling and up-cycling of the materials to keep them out of the ocean for good. Included in the group of volunteers was photographer Mandy Baker, seal rescuer and conservationist Eden Wilmott and influencer Laura Young. Wee Cumbrae (Image: Supplied) David Brown, co-owner of Seashell clothing, said that the project 'is gaining real momentum' and that the willingness of 'a rapidly growing number of individuals, organisations, and businesses' to get involved is 'hugely encouraging.' Rob Read, COO of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, said that 'in the West of Scotland alone, local fishing boats lose over 600 tonnes of gear every year' which include 'nets, ropes and lines that become deadly traps' and that 'by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish' without swift action. Sunita Poddar, trustee of The Pantjali Yog Peeth Trust and one of the island's owners, said: 'Wee Cumbrae is rich in history and wildlife so it's only fitting that it becomes the starting point for a movement as vital as Project One Wave.' The island itself has Scotland's second oldest lighthouse, three historic castles and a beach with around 100 grey seals in it. It is inhabited by two people, who act as caretakers for the island.
