Project wants recruits
A Blue Planet-inspired project is looking for two new workers from Oban to help clean up Scotland and tackle the rising tide of litter in Argyll.
With support from Argyll and Bute Council, which is providing desks and office space for the two recruits, the project using aerial photography to map litter hot-spots along the Scottish coastline is ready to develop its next exciting stage. The SCRAPbook (Scottish Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography) is moving on to develop engagement and clean-up activities using the evidence it has gathered from the air and is focusing first on North Argyll.
A pile of dumped tyres at Loch Melfort and grey cylinders left on the shore of Loch Creran are among just some examples of the rubbish sites spotted from the air so far.
The project also wants to see photos of what other people find when they are out and about on the coast. Photos can be sent to cleanup@ scrapbook.org.uk.
The successful marine litter officers would be line-managed remotely and funded by the Scottish Government through Marine Scotland. Thursday February 21 is the last day to apply for the posts.
SCRAPbook engagement officer Sally Tapp said: ‘We’re looking for two people who care about their environment and want to make a difference by bringing together local businesses, boat owners and other enthusiastic groups in Argyll to find solutions to removing as much of the litter that has been photographed along our coast as possible.
‘Many of the items we photograph are too large to be removed by conventional methods or are located on much harder to reach or remote beaches that may only be accessible from the sea. These are the areas we want to target.’
Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council and policy lead for economic development, said: ‘Argyll and Bute is a wonderful place to live and work and these sound like fascinating and very rewarding jobs.
‘I’m pleased that the council was able to support this project by providing desks and office space for the two eventual recruits.
‘We’re very supportive of any initiative that will help rid our coastline of litter.’
To apply go to environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/71797-marine-litter-officers.