Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) can confirm that plastic car scrap lost from the Mulheim's cargo has been discovered by local surfers on Great Western Beach, Newquay today.

This is the first major beach outside of the Lands End area that has been affected by the Mulheim's cargo and could mean beaches along the North Coast need assessing and possibly cleaning before the brunt of the tourist season hits.

From the start Surfers Against Sewage have highlighted the pressing need for containment measures to be put in place to stop the cargo leaking from the stricken vessel - but these calls have continued to be ignored. Yet with another beach now affected the call must go out to local authorities to check their beaches are free of the Mulheim's plastic.

A further report of Mulheim cargo being found at Porthtowan is currently being investigated, and SAS are urging water users across the region to be vigilant and to notify us and the local authority if they come across any suspect pieces.

The Mulheim was left stranded on rocks in Gamper Bay on March 22nd. Since then much of the cargo has been lost to sea and very little has been recovered by salvagers. Much of the cargo is hand-sized pieces of black plastic, often with sharp serrated edges, which may cause injury if stepped on.

Richard Hardy Campaigns Assistant for SAS says: "Typically water users are the first people to become aware of ocean pollution and also the first to be affected, so its no surprise that its is surfers and not those involved in the Mulheim salvage operation to have made this discovery.

The Mulheim has been an environmental catastrophe and may continue to be a threat to water users and tourists alike for months at the most popular time of year in the region.

SAS have already called for a Public Inquiry into the salvage operation and for tougher maritime legislation to be proposed so that our coastline can be better protected in the future from these types of incidents. Today's discovery will only strengthen our case."

For more information please contact Vicky or Richard on Tel: 01872 553001 or Mobile 07817 401480. For images of the plastic from Newquay please contact Sam Morgan Moore on Tel: 01637 872724.

The Story so far...

"Mulheim continues to break up"

"CARRY ON MULHEIM"

" CONCERN OVER DECISION TO LEAVE THE MULHEIM TO BREAK UP."

"A LUCKY ESCAPE FOR THE BEACHES"

"TOXIC CARGO FAR FROM SAFE SAY SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE"

"MULHEIM UPDATE - DAY 17"

"3 WEEKS ON AND THE MULHEIM CONTINUES TO PUT ENVIRONMENT AT RISK."

"SAS express disappointment at decision to leave Mulheim on the rocks"

"COCKTAIL OF NASTIES!"

"MULHEIM PLASTIC FOUND ON NEWQUAY'S GOLDEN SANDS"

"MULHEIMS 'DIRTY' CARGO SPREADING FAR AND WIDE"

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