Latest news with #FifeCoastandCountrysideTrust
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Warning not to swim in two Fife beaches due to pollution
PEOPLE have been warned against taking a dip in two beaches in Fife due to pollution. Kinghorn Harbour and Burntisland have been closed until further notice after high levels of bacteria were found in the water. It comes just days after Scotland experienced a heatwave which saw hundreds of people heading to the beaches. On Thursday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said it had found high levels of "faecal indicator organisms" during tests in the waters, STV News reports. READ MORE: LIVE: ScotRail trains face disruption for rest of day as wires damaged Sepa regularly carries out tests in Scotland's waters for E. coli and instestinal enterococci, known as "faecal indicator organisms". If these bacteria are detected, further tests are conducted to find the cause of the pollution. Meanwhile, the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has put up signs at key access points and has warned people that exposure to the harmful bacteria could cause illness. Members of the public have been told to avoid entering the sea or streams running into both beaches. The trust also urged people to keep pets away from the water and to wash hands and footwear after visiting the area. The guidance also states that people should not take anything home from the beaches or consume shellfish collected from the area, and to wash hands before eating and drinking. A Sepa spokesperson said: 'Sepa are aware of high bacterial results at Kinghorn and Burntisland bathing waters. READ MORE: Scotland to Europe ferry continues to face delays as progress stalls 'Our officers are currently investigating the cause of this high result and, if required, we will explore any mitigation measures. Further water samples will be taken from the bathing water to determine if there is any ongoing impact. 'Sepa's electronic sign at Kinghorn has been changed to advise against bathing and paddling. Fife Coast and Countryside Trust will be placing signs at both bathing waters to notify users of the high results and to avoid bathing and paddling. 'Advice against bathing will remain in place until Sepa are satisfied that water quality is no longer impacted.' Fife Council told STV News it is working with the Coast and Countryside Trust to share information on the issue.
The National
17-07-2025
- Climate
- The National
Warning not to swim in 2 Fife beaches due to pollution
Kinghorn Harbour and Burntisland have been closed until further notice after high levels of bacteria were found in the water. It comes just days after Scotland experienced a heatwave which saw hundreds of people heading to the beaches. On Thursday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said it had found high levels of "faecal indicator organisms" during tests in the waters, STV News reports. READ MORE: LIVE: ScotRail trains face disruption for rest of day as wires damaged Sepa regularly carries out tests in Scotland's waters for E. coli and instestinal enterococci, known as "faecal indicator organisms". If these bacteria are detected, further tests are conducted to find the cause of the pollution. Meanwhile, the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has put up signs at key access points and has warned people that exposure to the harmful bacteria could cause illness. Members of the public have been told to avoid entering the sea or streams running into both beaches. The trust also urged people to keep pets away from the water and to wash hands and footwear after visiting the area. The guidance also states that people should not take anything home from the beaches or consume shellfish collected from the area, and to wash hands before eating and drinking. A Sepa spokesperson said: 'Sepa are aware of high bacterial results at Kinghorn and Burntisland bathing waters. READ MORE: Scotland to Europe ferry continues to face delays as progress stalls 'Our officers are currently investigating the cause of this high result and, if required, we will explore any mitigation measures. Further water samples will be taken from the bathing water to determine if there is any ongoing impact. 'Sepa's electronic sign at Kinghorn has been changed to advise against bathing and paddling. Fife Coast and Countryside Trust will be placing signs at both bathing waters to notify users of the high results and to avoid bathing and paddling. 'Advice against bathing will remain in place until Sepa are satisfied that water quality is no longer impacted.' Fife Council told STV News it is working with the Coast and Countryside Trust to share information on the issue.
STV News
16-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Warning not to swim at two beaches after 'high levels of bacteria' found
Scots are being warned to avoid swimming at two beaches in Fife after high levels of bacteria were found in the water. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) say routine samples have indicated high bacterial results at Kinghorn and Burntisland bathing waters. The pollution and exposure to it may cause illness, with members of the public advised against bathing, paddling, or playing in the sea or streams running into both beaches until further notice. Signage has been placed at key access points advising people not to enter the water and to keep pets away. Members of the public should also wash hands and footwear after visiting the area, and ensure they wash their hands before eating and drinking. Visitors are also being advised not to take anything home from the beach, including shellfish. It comes days after hundreds flocked to beauty spots across the country last weekend as temperatures soared to more than 31C in parts. A spokesperson for SEPA said: 'SEPA are aware of high bacterial results at Kinghorn and Burntisland bathing waters. 'Our officers are currently investigating the cause of this high result and, if required, we will explore any mitigation measures. Further water samples will be taken from the bathing water to determine if there is any ongoing impact. 'SEPA's electronic sign at Kinghorn has been changed to advise against bathing and paddling. Fife Coast and Countryside Trust will be placing signs at both bathing waters to notify users of the high results and to avoid bathing and paddling. 'Advice against bathing will remain in place until SEPA are satisfied that water quality is no longer impacted.' Fife Council said it is working with the Coast and Countryside Trust to share information on the issue. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Warning as deadly Lion's Mane jellyfish spotted on Fife beaches
Lion's Mane jellyfish have been spotted on Fife beaches. Locals are being warned to avoid the sea creatures, whose 'nasty sting' can in rare cases be fatal. Sightings at Pittenweem and Burntisland beaches have recently been reported to the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'We've had reports of Lion's mane jellyfish at Pittenweem and Burntisland beaches. 'You can spot them because they have a thick mane of hundreds of long, hair-like tentacles. 'These tentacles give a very nasty sting, so consult a doctor if swelling or weals are severe.' The trust is warning people to stay away and keep their pets away. However, if you are unlikely enough to be stung, the trust advises you to scrape the area with a clean stick or remove the tentacle with tweezers, then rinse the area with warm to hot water to reduce swelling. The Wildlife Trusts describes the jellyfish as translucent brown to reddish with a thick mane of hundreds of long hair-like tentacles up to 3m in length, the oldest of which are coloured dark red. Last June, a Fife family discovered a huge Lion's Mane jellyfish washed up on the beach at Kirkcaldy.
The National
06-06-2025
- Health
- The National
Warning issued over 'deadly' jellyfish spotted on Fife beaches
Jellyfish have reportedly been spotted at Pittenweem and Burntisland beaches, with locals being warned to avoid the sea creatures, whose 'nasty sting' can in rare cases be fatal. The Lion's Mane jellyfish have been reported to the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. READ MORE: More than £1m in funding announced for restoration projects for Scottish coastline They have been described as translucent brown to reddish with a thick mane of hundreds of long hair-like tentacles up to 3m in length, the oldest of which are coloured dark red. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'We've had reports of Lion's mane jellyfish at Pittenweem and Burntisland beaches. 'You can spot them because they have a thick mane of hundreds of long, hair-like tentacles. 'These tentacles give a very nasty sting, so consult a doctor if swelling or weals are severe.' The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has warned people to avoid the jellyfish and to also keep their pets away from them. They added that if anyone is unlucky enough to be stung by a Lion's mane jellyfish, they should scrape the area with a clean stick or remove the tentacle with tweezers, then rinse the area with warm to hot water to reduce swelling.
