How to Be an Ethical Collector
Written by Forbes Science Writer and F+F Teammate, Ariella Simke
A conversation with CADFW Environmental Scientist Amanda Van Diggelen
Spying something shiny out of the corner of your eye, you bend down to take a closer look. The iridescent enamel of an abalone shell beams in the light filtering through a shallow tidepool. Its beauty is undeniable, and slipping the shell into your pocket to bring home, you think about the lovely addition it will make to your collection.
‘Collecting’ is the act of taking rocks, shells, beach wrack (like algae or sea grasses), or living things from the beach. The practice is becoming more popular. As fishers and foragers, we rely on taking things from the ocean to feed ourselves and our loved ones. It is often tempting to also collect things from the beach that we don’t intend to eat, but can we do this in a sustainable and low-impact way?
I went to California Department of Fish and Wildlife environmental scientist Amanda Van Diggelen to find out how impactful collecting is on the environment, and how we can appreciate the beauty of our coastal areas without causing damage to the places we love.
Come on...will taking some small rocks or shells home from the beach really have an impact on the ecosystem?
In areas where not many people go, removing a couple rocks or shells from the beach may not have much of an impact at all. The impact magnifies as more people collect.
The pandemic has brought more people to California beaches than ever before. This increased traffic means more people collecting, and more things removed from the beaches. In California in 2020 there were more citations issued for tidepool collecting compared to previous years. 120 citations were issued for violations in the Palos Verdes area of Los Angeles county in 2020, compared to a measly 10 citations in 2019.
The Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that 4.6 million people visit Monterey County each year. So while an individual’s impact may be negligible, considering the combined visitation will give a more realistic picture of the impact of collecting.
One study of shell collecting on the Iberian Peninsula found a correlation between an increase in tourism and a decrease in the number of shells found on beaches over the course of 30 years. This study was not conducted in California, but its findings could very well be translated to beach environments worldwide. Removing shells results in “increased beach erosion, changes in calcium carbonate recycling, and declines in diversity and abundance of organisms, which are dependent on shell availability.” Basically, taking shells means that tourists are scooping out handfuls of the stuff that keeps beaches healthy. Again, the impact of collecting becomes apparent over time, and becomes more pronounced as more people participate.
What if I only collect things that aren’t living, like driftwood and rocks and shells?
“Shells, rocks, driftwood, and beach wrack (other items like algae, sea grasses, and some invertebrates such as hydroids) found on beaches are just as vital to marine ecosystems as living things,” says Van Diggelen. While it may just look like dead tangles of seaweed, wrack houses animals at the bottom of the food chain, such as sand crabs (talitrid amphipods), kelp flies and roly polies. Without it, those nutrients, and the foundation of the food chain vanish.
A study by Dugan and Hubbard looked at the effects of mechanical beach grooming (removing wrack and debris from the beach) and found that by removing wrack, important habitat is also removed, which is bad news for plant and animal species.
Furthermore, rocks and shells stabilize beaches and anchor seagrass, this prevents beach erosion and habitat loss. Creatures such as hermit crabs use empty shells as homes, and small fish use them as hiding places. “When shells and rocks break down, they provide nutrients for the organisms living in the sand or for those that build their own shells,” says Van Diggelen.
What happens when natural cycles are left alone?
According to Van Diggelen, key connections exist between beaches and nearby ecosystems like rivers, streams, kelp forests and rocky reefs. By leaving the ecosystem intact, natural processes occur that cycle nutrients between and within ecosystems.
Sediment is carried from land to the sea via rivers and streams, naturally replenishing beaches. Larger items like boulders, rocks, and shells are broken down through repetitive wave action. These items are deposited along the coastline, supplementing the ecosystem.
Kelp, other algae, and seagrass often torn out during winter storms will wash up on sandy beaches, forming wrack that supports life at the bottom of the food chain,
Should I avoid buying art that is made from items found on the beach?
According to Van Diggelen, you don’t have to boycott the ocean art: “as long as the shells are legally obtained and not taken under the authority of a sport fishing license, they can be used to make art and or jewelry that is sold,” she says, “black and white abalone that are federally protected under the endangered species act, cannot be sold in any form.”
Where can I find information on collecting laws?
There are some laws that restrict collecting in California, although no universal laws around collecting exist. All MPA regulations can be found in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 632 or at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/Network.
What is ethical collecting?
Every natural thing found at the beach plays an important role in the functioning of that ecosystem. Removing elements can degrade a habitat over time, which can alter animal behavior, cause habitat loss, and remove nutrients that would otherwise get recycled.
One way to have a positive impact is to collect beach trash, such as sea glass or plastics. “Plastic breaks down into microparticles that can be harmful to marine species. It is better that it is removed and disposed of properly. Sea glass is made from broken and worn fragments from items like bottles. Although sea glass can be beautiful in color it is ultimately litter and can certainly be removed from the beach,” says Van Diggelen.
What constitutes ‘ethical collecting’ is subjective, but it all boils down to respect for the environment. Consider taking pictures of cool beach finds, rather than taking them home. Limiting the number of items that you take can also minimize your impact.
There’s nothing wrong with taking home a souvenir, but try to be choosy when doing so, and collect with the health of the ecosystem in mind. When fishing, we try to ensure the health of our fish populations by considering the number, age, and size of fish we take. Collecting in a respectful manner will ensure that the beach ecosystems continue to function how they should.
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