Jersey is one of 27 coastal communities taking part in beach clean-ups across the UK as part of a month-long campaign throughout March, organised by Sea Shepherd.
The charity first came to prominence locally in July 2011 when the group’s leader launched an online campaign against Hotel de France for hosting attendees of an International Whaling Committee meeting.
Islander Gerry Larkins, a Sea Shepherd onshore co-ordinator, said he is expecting twice as many volunteers to attend compared to last year.
He said: ‘The interest has really grown year on year in Jersey, plus the local community has always been great when it comes to getting out and cleaning the beach in their own free time. The recent media focus on the issue of plastics and the catastrophic impact it is having has really helped to boost numbers.’
The charity will also be providing Islanders with educational material explaining the damage plastic is having on the oceans.
Mr Larkins added: ‘Almost 100 people are due to attend this year, compared to just 50 last year. And another 500 have expressed interest in coming.
‘Over a million sea birds and 100,000 mammals are killed annually from plastics in our oceans and there is growing evidence that microscopic plastic particles are making their way into the human food chain.’
Mr Larkins, who is leading this weekend’s clean-up, said it is also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people who are equally passionate about saving beaches and protecting marine life.
The beach clean is taking place at Le Braye this Sunday from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm.
