Must marine life pay for complacency?

I write to you in despair. We are visiting my sister-in-law in Sheffield Beach, and were here last year too. On both occasions we have been in awe of the beauty of the environment and have loved the warmth of the sea, and glorious walks along the beaches which surround the area. We feel it such a privilege to share this incredible place. However, we find two things distressing.
Firstly, there is a terrible problem with pollution on the beaches. My husband, children and even my three-year-old grandchild, pick up loads of bottles, trays, brushes and endless amounts of chocolate wrappers and bottle tops, sometimes two or three times a day. It is incomprehensible for us to see how much there is and how constant is the desecration of these beaches. I cannot believe that no one seems to care that the marine life which is so wonderful in this area, is not respected and loved for the joy and beauty it brings to the world.
This brings me to the second concern. I have talked to the local people on the beach, even volunteer wardens who were dressed in uniform. They are lovely, friendly people. But, without exception they lament the state of affairs, blaming first the fishermen for the problem, and then council for failing to provide enough bins. Both of these may be legitimate claims. But not one person had a single piece of rubbish in their hands. They simply said that the problem was too large and that they had given up trying to influence for improvement.
I am horrified to think that this is where we are. It seems that the people who live here, have lost their appreciation for the incredible place in which they live. They have accepted that the dolphins and turtles, the whales and all the marine life which supports them must ultimately pay the price for complacency.
I understand that the problem is a big one. But I implore everyone who reads this, to know that they CAN make a difference. They can begin by educating their children – never to throw litter in anything but a bin, and to pick it up when they see it on the ground. They must do this by demonstrating that they do so themselves.
Council should provide more bins to ensure that there are places to throw the rubbish and these bins need to be secured from the weather to ensure that  they do not blow over.
The privileged who live on the beach front can be vigilant and ensure that they keep a watchful eye on their own beautiful beachfronts, and educate the people who destroy it each and every time ensuring that there is no rubbish to pollute the beaches.
I believe that the community needs to take full responsibility for this. It has been done successfully in every country around the world where the community watches, monitors and reports polluters to authorities who take action. Action begins with education and warnings that recidivists will receive punitive charges and fines. This is followed up with action.
We go back to Australia this week. We will leave with wonderful memories of a fabulous holiday. We will also leave with sadness that we have seen so much potential harm for the marine life here. I sincerely hope that you, as a local newspaper, can raise an awareness and much more importantly, a determined will within the whole community of many parts, to make it change. You will reap the rewards for a much more sustainable and wholesome future for generations to come. Please start now.
GERALDINE COY
Melbourne, Australia