"Beneath the surface of this breathtaking beauty spot in Whitsand Bay fish are dying, the vegetation is corrupted, and the debris of industrial pollution is strewn across the seabed. If this dumping were on land all hell would break loose. That seabed used to be pristine. It's terrible to see such a beautiful place, my favourite place in the world, polluted in this way. >> More

Killer Nets
Ghost Fishing in Polhawn Cove - pictures by  our own David Peake make local and national headlines.
BBC News

Did Silt play a part in diving deaths?
Police investigating the deaths of two wreck divers at the Scylla, off Whitsand Bay, are looking at whether silt dumped in the area may have been a contributing factor >>more see also >> here

Dumping Resumes in Whitsand Bay
The dumping of waste by the MOD has resumed in Whitsand Bay >>more

Unanimous Support to Preserve Bay
As Dumping Resumes Caradon Councillors showed full support for the protection of our beautiful Whitsand Bay >> more

Sheryll - New Parliamentary Spokesperson
Sheryll Murray a leading member in the Stop Dumping campaign over a number of years has been adopted as the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesperson for South East Cornwall >> more  >> website

The Golden Mile
Around our coast, near to shore, is an area that should be naturally rich in marine life, fuelling the food chain and biodiversity of areas much further out, and of special importance (pdf 90kB) ----- >>  More

More Dumping Planned.
DEFRA have received a new application --->> More

Whitsand Bay - The Campaign Widens
Support Pledged from Looe >> More

CEFAS Respond to Evidence on Bay Dispersion.
CEFAS respond to the evidence of Professor Robin Pingree>> More

A Sensible Approach to Fishing Conservation
The Best Article we have read on Fishing Conservation in a long time. Please take the time to read it and give it the widest circulation possible
>> Download

Important Evidence on Bay Dispersion
Professor Robin Pingree, has kindly allowed us to publish his Scientific Appraisal of conditions found at Whitsand Bay and Rame >> More
 

Pollutants in Polhawn Cove

The CEFAS report states that the presence of Beggiatoa bacteria mats (shown above) may be a serious problem and recommends that further work be carried out to 'assess the presence of Beggiatoa in Whitsand Bay and to understand the mechanisms under which it may be able to exist'.

Heavy metals

The report finds that there are relatively high concentrations of mercury and cadmium in Polhawn cove - stating that 'some metals cadmium, lead and mercury show elevated concentrations inshore of the disposal site towards Whitsands beach'.

Seaward dispersion of the spoil

The CEFAS report used a mathematical model to conclude that tidal currents ensure an easterly, seaward dispersion of spoil. However, local observations and CEFAS video evidence, noted within the CEFAS report, do not support this view. Please read Prof Pingrees Paper above.

Other Issues

We have also increasing evidence of Cadmium contamination in shell fish and silt contamination on Polhawn Beach.

See further detailed comments from a Local Biologist Bruce Selkirk (pdf file)>>   Download

A Selection of Quote's from the petition:

Lucy Brown
Whitsand Bay is a very special place to me and all my family. I have so many precious memories right through my life. Please stop this mindless damage to my home.

Leon Roskilly
What a beautiful place with so much potential.
It is nothing short of a crime to destroy so much life, for so long when such places are so valuable

Ken Reed
I have been visiting Whitsand Bay for almost 50 years and my parents were frequent visitors before that. Living in Plymouth, Whitsand Bay afforded us the perfect escape from city life and no matter where you went, from Rame through Tregonhawke and Freathy to Tregantle and beyond, you were assured of the perfect golden sand. Now - the sand is a brown / grey colour and is not nice to stand on. What have they done to this beautiful piece of England. The lunatics really have taken over the asylum.

Jim Hawkes MBE
I moved to Cornwall just over 20 years ago and spent many happy hours with my children on Polhawn beach. In those days the rock pools were full of life and a pot of shrimps were taken home to cook and eat, this has now gone. Having seen the Dave Peake video action must be taken to preserve this beautiful bay for future generations.

Sue Crellin
35 years diving here, sad to see how the state of this area has been affected by dumping. My photos show a lot. stop the dumping.

Paul Channing
As a local diver I have witnessed first hand the effects of the dumping. Its the wrong site, far to close to shore.

Christina Chatzikou
As a local diver I have also seen the dramatic effect the dumping has on the local marine life and the ecosystem of the area. Please stop it now.

Bea Chater
In years to come people will look back and think what the hell were they doing? Have some foresight and some guts and realise that something this special needs to be preserved, not only for present and future generations but also for the countless wildlife that depend upon it.

Oli Burns
I have been a lifeguard at the bay for the last 3 summers and have used the beach for over 20 years. whit sand comes from white sand and the sand seems to be getting darker and darker by the year. Last summer I became very ill, I think from pollution in the water whilst working. You can see the difference of water quality as soon as there is swell, the sand is churned up and all sorts of rubbish is floating in the water. Its a disgrace and I hope something is done about this soon

Heidi Louise
Respect to Whitsandbay.org for walking your truth and standing up for your beliefs. It gives us hope that our united voice on the power and beauty of Mother Earth will be listened to and respected by those who are our voice...you are an example to us all!

More Quotes From The Petition

This petition has cross party political support with signatures from:

Colin Breed MP
(Lib Dem)

Sheryll Murray PPC
(Conservative)

Conan Jenkin
(Mebyon Kernow)