Beach goers face a £1,000 fine for collecting natural materials like shells, with experts warning that it contributes to coastal erosion and habitat loss.
Natural features like pebbles and sand help absorb wave energy, shielding cliffs and dunes from erosion. Shells and driftwood provide microhabitats for insects, birds, and other coastal wildlife.
According to Arbtech, an ecology and biodiversity consultancy, removing these materials is not only damaging to fragile ecosystems – it’s also illegal under the Coast Protection Act 1949. Removing them disrupts the natural balance, weakening beaches and the species that rely on them.
In a bid to protect the coastline, local councils are taking action to fine beach goers who collect shells, pebbles and drift wood.
“What may seem like a harmless holiday keepsake is, in fact, part of a delicate and vital ecosystem—and could even cost you a fine of up to £1,000,” said Andrew Ward, ecological consultant at Arbtech.
Enforcement of the law falls to local councils, which often focus their efforts on popular tourist destinations. In some areas, signs have been installed to discourage what’s sometimes referred to as 'pebble theft'.
In one well-publicised incident in Cornwall in 2018, a man was forced to return pebbles he had taken from the beach or face prosecution under the Coast Protection Act 1949.
“One person taking a pebble may not seem like much,” Ward warned, “but when thousands of people do the same thing every summer, the consequences add up.”
The Coast Protection Act was introduced to safeguard the UK’s vulnerable coastlines from degradation. Today, with climate change placing increasing stress on coastal regions, preserving natural sea defences is more crucial than ever.
“The law isn’t there to spoil anyone’s fun—it’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment,” Ward added. “By leaving the beach just as we found it, we help ensure it remains a thriving habitat for generations to come.”
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