Here in Devon, we are never far from the sea. It would be difficult to live here and forget that ours is an island nation. Recent military action to preserve “freedom of navigation” serves to remind us that – rightly or wrongly - the UK is dependent on imports from across the seas.

It is estimated that up to 13 million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. This is the equivalent of a lorry-load every minute. The ocean currents concentrate some of the plastic, such as the so-called ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ which is three times the size of France.

This plastic does not always float on the surface, as it can also sink directly to the seabed. Plastic can end up in areas that are hotspots for marine life. This poses a direct threat to the health of our ecosystem.

The plastics that end up in the sea are often single-use bottles, food wrappers, and cigarette butts. These items could be disposed of securely but are often discarded on the land and wash downstream or blow out to sea. The concentration of plastics in the oceans has increased from 16 trillion pieces in 2005, to more than 171 trillion in 2019.

Recall the horror that many of us experienced as David Attenborough exposed us to the way that plastic in the ocean is mixing the beautiful natural world with one of man’s dystopian influences on it. Itc.

Fish, seabirds and marine mammals can become entangled in, or ingest plastic debris, causing suffocation, starvation, and drowning.

Larger items break down into smaller parts, which break down into microplastics. If we want to protect our health - and ensure our beach resorts remain vibrant places for people from across the country to enjoy - then it falls to us to clean them.

My daughter and I spent Sunday morning collecting litter on Sidmouth seafront. The event was brilliantly organised by Sidmouth Plastic Warriors, with 78 of us taking part.

I have spoken in Parliament before about the fantastic work of other local community groups working on this issue, such as Plastic-Free Seaton; Plastic-Free Ottery; and Turn Lyme Green.

It was good to see families out picking up after others in Sidmouth on Sunday. Likewise, it gave me great pleasure to visit a school last week to present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to young people, many of whom had collected litter as part of their community service.

Preventing plastic ending up in the ocean is vital for our planet, for our marine life, but also for the well-being of those of us who live on or near the coast. I am big believer in the nostrum: think global, act local.