Two in a tangle at Dunnet beach

THE recent death of a sperm whale on the Isle of Harris was foremost in the minds of two selfless Caithness beach cleaners when confronted by a huge tangle of fishing rope this week.

Maranda Thomson was walking her springer spaniel Jodie when she came across the bundle on Dunnet beach on Monday afternoon.

Speaking about the experience, she said: "The find was particularly topical in light of the recent whale autopsy, where coils of rope were found in its stomach."

The Harris incident involved a sperm whale that died on Seilebost beach and was dissected by scientists from Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme. Within the complicated 220-pound mass removed from the creature's stomach were plastic bags, cups, packing straps and other detritus along with a large amount of fishing tackle.

Maranda, who lives in West Mey, set up a Facebook group called Caithness Coastal Comber to bring together other like-minded individuals who are environmentally aware and willing to tackle the menace of plastic pollution on the county's coastline.

Realising that the huge bundle of rope was too much for her to deal with, she put out a call on social media and Nicola Banks Sutherland came to her aid.

"We pulled it away with her Land Rover and a countryside ranger has arranged for it to be uplifted and disposed of," Maranda said. "It would appear to be a Spanish long line – either lost or disposed of. Either way, it’s out of the sea now."

Dorcas Sinclair from another eco-aware group, Caithness Beach Cleans, sent out a vote of thanks to the two women for tackling the huge mass of rope. She reported that with the Dunnet beach mass removed the total weight taken off far north coastlines by volunteers since March this year is 7.56 tons.

The Caithness Coastal Comber Facebook group is not just about tackling plastic pollution but also shares posts about unusual beachcombing finds.

"I’m active in the Caithness Beach Cleans group now too, and it’s great to see how the beaches have improved," Maranda said.

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