In addition to water pollution, coastal and beach pollution can also have adverse effects on the capacity of surfers and community members to enjoy coastal and marine areas, as well as for practicing surfing and other sports or recreational activities. Litter is a common phenomenon on beaches because people do not take sufficient precautions to dispose of the waste generated during their time at the beach.

At the same time, authorities do not implement enough measures to allow and guarantee the disposal of waste in these areas. To prevent this pollution, it is important that the authorities establish accessible waste disposal points along the coasts and also control pollution by imposing fines and penalties for littering, which can also be an important deterrent. Likewise, it is important to educate the public about the importance of keeping beaches clean, as well as involving community members in beach cleanups and develoíng other actions focused on the management of marine-coastal zones.

1.1 VALPARAISO, CHILE

Various organizations in this region help to mitigate the consequences of local ollution and litter in coastal areas. For example, they organiza beach cleanups where community members can participate. These cleanups remove trash and pollution from breaches and imporve their public use. Since 2008, government agencies have organized a formal beach cleanup day in September, as part of the International Coastal Cleanup Day in which more than 120 countries participate, and is coordinated by the non-governmental organization Ocean Conservancy. In more general terms, several civil society organizations, such as Plataforma Costera and Fundación Rompientes, help to raise public awareness on the importance of marine-coastal areas, and to involve the public in their protection.

● Identify beach areas that are commonly littered

● Contact the municipality or local authority and discuss actions that can be taken to stop littering.

● In coordination with the local government, consider whether there is adequate infrastructura for waste disposal.

● File a complaint with the environmental oversight agency.

● Launch campaings to raise awareness among local authorities.

● Seek legal advice to take legal action and claim compensation from those responsible.

Support a beach cleanup for the coming International Coastal Cleanup Day. Join a local cleanup in your area or, if there aren´t any, organize your own cleanup event. Check out this link to get more information on how to organize a beach cleanup inititative.