Debris in The Wash and surrounding area

There have been reports of marine plastic pollution debris in The Wash. It is believed that the debris may include plastic nurdles (small plastic beads) from the SOLONG / STENA IMMACULATE collision. The debris may interfere with fishing activity (for example, if you are towing for shrimp or cleaning nets in the water). Some plastic has washed up ashore at Old Hunstanton and Holme-Next-The-Sea. A mass of nurdles was last seen at sea off the back of the Sunk Sand (16 March 2025) but is mobile.  Shoreline inspections and clear up operations are being undertaken.  Please be vigilant if fishing in the area and report any sightings to us.

Contact details can be found here.

For more information and updates, please visit the HM Coastguard page here – Updates: Vessels incident off coast of East Yorkshire | HM Coastguard UK