I live in Selsey, Sussex, England.  Our home juts into the Solent towards
the Isle of Wight. One suspects the sea around out peninsular is becoming
ever increasingly polluted. Although I have lived in this area since 1959 I
have never collected shells here.

I have a break from school for six weeks and intend during this time to take
walks along the shore at low tide to collect and assess what shells life
there remains. I also know a number of the local fishermen who go to sea
daily for lobsters and crabs. I know from experience that they pick up
various shells in their pots. They also spend a lot of time, when the
fishing is poor, doing "Whelkers", collecting and selling whelks - Buccinum
Undatum. The question I have to ask is: has anyone done anything like this
before in their local vicinity? If so would appreciate a little advice on
what to send to the local media and what to provide to the  fishermen in the
way of instructions etc, who obviously have their own livings to make and
would be doing this as an enormous favour.

Ed Clamp