Former punk rock star Feargal Sharkey visits Cornwall and Devon, calling for cleaner seas

The singer-turned-environment campaigner visited swimmers and fishermen in Falmouth and Perranporth

Former Undertones singer turned environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey visited Falmouth and Perranporth to call for cleaner waterways and seas in Cornwall.

The Undertones singer, famous for hits such as Teenage Kicks, My Perfect Cousin and Here Comes the Summer, will visit the seaside town of Falmouth as part of a nationwide tour to highlight the problem of pollution in Britain’s waterways.

It follows a visit to Plymouth yesterday where he met with swimmers, beachgoers and fishermen about an increase in sewage discharges.

Environment Agency figures show a 54% increase in sewage discharges in our region in 2023 – compared to 2022.

Feargal Sharkey said: “I physically retired 12 years ago, I was quietly minding my own business and just wanted to go fishing. I found myself standing in a river, staring at the ugly underbelly of the sewage system floating back.

“If you live in the UK, particularly in England, in Cornwall and parts of Devon, you can’t escape it. Whether you’re going for a swim in the sea or taking your dog for a walk by a local river.”

The former Northern Irish punk singer has a history of activism. He first worked for musicians’ rights before turning his attention to water quality, born out of his love of fly fishing.

Sarah Walsh, open water swimming coach and founder of the Blue Tits sea swimming groups in Cornwall, said: “I was sick, I had terrible gastroenteritis. There are people I know with ear infections and eye infections and they get them quite regularly. .

“I swim in the sea daily and I have to check daily. This morning, I set off four alerts.”

Chris Ranger, Fal oysterman and founder of the campaign group Saving Ester, said: “Personally it wipes us out, but as an industry it’s an insurmountable task. the water is dirty and they don’t want to consume our product.

“When we started, there would be maybe one or two bad sample reports a year. Now, almost every sample report is bad. In this country, it’s collapsing because of water quality and consumer confidence.”

As the election campaign continues, political parties have each promised action against sewage pollution in our waterways.

The Conservatives say they will modernize waste treatment works, regulate and impose unlimited fines and penalties.

Meanwhile, Labor says its plan would stop bonuses, tackle failing water companies and protect Britain’s beautiful holiday spots.

The Lib Dems are also promising tougher regulations, including a sewer tax on water company annual profits and a ban on executive bonuses.

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