Scotland’s Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography (SCRAPbook)

The survey records all visible litter (the smallest visible items are approximately 10cm, up to very large items metres in length). The detection method allows for far greater geographical coverage than ‘on the ground’ methods and provides a field of view across the beach profile (foreshore to coast).

Whilst the data set overlaps with that captured by other survey methodologies, it is complimentary as whilst it has overflown wider geographical areas and inaccessible locations, it does not capture the smaller litter size fractions. It is therefore best considered in conjunction with other datasets (Marine Conservation Society BeachWatch). Although on a low zoom it appears that a large proportion of the Scottish coast is covered by images, on higher zoom levels it can be seen that in fact images covering a very small proportion of Scotland’s foreshores are included in the available on-line database. The images available on-line should not be seen as representative of the litter levels on Scotland’s coasts. Rather they illustrate particular litter issues at the time of the overflights.

The method is focussed on detecting the presence of litter, the photographers in the aircraft assess the presence of litter prior to taking an image, through direct observation of the entire coastline flown. Absence can be inferred from the lack of point data for certain areas, however images to illustrate the lack of litter may not be available for all parts of the coast.

These data use of use to inform targeted beach litter cleans as well as contributing to the coastal litter evidence base.