In some areas, the thickness of the potato deposits reached 75 centimeters, giving the shore a stunning golden hue that from a distance could resemble sand.
The cause of this incident was strong storms that hit the English Channel and dislodged numerous containers from two cargo ships. According to reports, at least 20 containers of frozen products were opened, and their contents ended up in the sea. As a result, the products drifted until they washed up on the beach, mixing with other marine debris such as foam, disposable masks, and onions.
“I had to double-check that I wasn’t mistaken when I saw this on the beach,” shared Eastbourne resident Joel Bonicci. “It was astonishing — the beach looked like golden sand.”
The main concern is the safety of wildlife, as many of these products were packaged in plastic. There are fears that seals and other marine inhabitants may swallow the packaging or use it as toys. Bonicci called on locals to clean up the beach via Facebook, emphasizing that “removing plastic bags is a top priority.” Locals and volunteers responded to his call and began the cleanup effort.
Some experts note that the incident reflects a broader issue of ocean pollution that extends beyond this accident. According to the organization Ocean Conservancy, approximately 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, with 80% of it coming from land-based sources.
The loss of containers at sea represents a significant source of pollution. The International Maritime Organization reports that an average of over 1,500 containers are lost at sea each year over the past decade.
Experts warn that products, packaging materials, and industrial goods from these containers directly harm the marine ecosystem and contribute to the accumulation of microplastics, which can have long-term consequences for ecosystems.
