As reported yesterday, pollution in the form or burnt material and plastic nurdles has been identified offshore and is washing ashore at some sites, primarily up until now on the north Norfolk coast.

Nurdles are small plastic pellets, which may have burnt together into larger masses. Unfortunately, the risks posed by nurdles increase when other pollutants become stuck to them. We urge members of the public to avoid touching them if seen as they may have toxic pollutants stuck to them.

If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the Lincolnshire coast please call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. If possible, please provide a what3words location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Statement from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: 16:30, Monday 17 March, 2025.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust are aware of the pollution now appearing offshore along the coast of both counties. The pollution is made up of four small patches of burnt material and plastic nurdles that have been mapped and recorded in surveys.

The pollution is the result of the collision between the Stena Immaculate and Solong, and washed into the sea from those early days of the incident based on MCGA modelling of weather and water flow. Wildlife Trust staff are continuing to work with the relevant authorities to ensure the material is netted out from the sea and collected from the shore.

Plastic nurdles are small plastic pellets that can be mistaken by wildlife, such as birds, as food, as they can look like eggs or small crustacea. At present there are four patches of nurdles that have been mapped and recorded in surveys. While the nurdle patches have been relatively small, they still present a concern for nature. The relevant authorities have now deployed vessels to try to net pollutants from the sea, and co-ordinated actions are underway to collect any that come ashore, such as those found a Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve in Norfolk.

Head of Conservation for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Tammy Smalley says,
“Although it is a worry for wildlife and will continue to be as long as the clean-up of the collision last week continues; communication and co-ordination is going well between all the authorities and related environmental bodies across a large geographic area. From being seen yesterday, and confirmed by the end of yesterday that burnt material, plastic nurdles and other materials has collated in locations in the mouth of The Wash and along Norfolk coast, the authorities have mobilised clean-up operations. We will continue to support the authorities in this endeavour.” 

There are updates on the incident including photos of the nurdles on the HM Coastguard website.

Statement from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: 16:00, Wednesday 12 March, 2025.

Monday’s incident in the North Sea between the Solong and Stena Immaculate is still being monitored by authorities and we are grateful to them for keeping us informed. 

We continue to hope for the best for the wildlife and wild places in this area of deeply special coastline and so far have had no reports of pollution. 

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us with offers of help and support. We are very glad that no practical assistance for wildlife has been needed, but we will of course let you know if that situation changes.

Statement from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: 17:30, Monday 10 March, 2025.

As details continue to emerge, our thoughts are with everyone who was on board the ships and those responding to this incident. We are keeping a close eye on the situation, including the potential for pollution, and will work with the relevant marine authorities as is needed.

The north Lincolnshire coast is at risk, including the Humber Estuary and the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve, which includes Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes and was designated by King Charles III in 2023. The area is home to internationally important populations of seabirds and seals, and fragile habitats including saltmarsh, mudflats and seagrass meadows. Depending on wind direction and contaminants, we are also concerned about the Silver Pit farther offshore – a unique habitat for fish where seabirds and cetaceans feed. Much of the Lincolnshire coast offshore is within marine protected areas for habitat features such as sub-tidal sand dunes.

Although the grey seals at Donna Nook are not currently pupping, the seals including juveniles are still in the area. They haul out on sand banks offshore and feed in the wider North Sea area.

Tammy Smalley,
Head of Conservation, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust