KATE BRADBURY

“Never has it been so important to save our sea beds”

- 

THE STRANDLINE OF BRIGHTON beach is a heady mix of fascinating sea creatures, washed-up fishing gear and the remnants of parties and beach barbecues.

I crunch my way over the pebbles at morning low tide, the wind whistling around my ears and the sea pushing and pulling at the shore. Rain hangs in the air like Cornish mist. It’s peaceful here: there are dogs and their walkers, runners and sea swimmers, the occasional reveller still holding on to the night. But, otherwise, it’s quiet.

I pick up the empty egg cases of lesser spotted dogfish and common skate, a cuttlebone and a mussel shell. Crows fly high above and drop shelled creatures on to the stones below, where they smash to reveal edible flesh. Herring gulls pick over a long-dead crab, and I find a remnant of a carapace that has clearly had the same treatment.

I pocket it with my other finds (one pocket for beach treasure, the other for fishing rope and litter). Just a few metres away, the city is starting to wake up.