'Nature needs them more': Scientists urge against taking shells home

Marine biologists are urging beachgoers to leave seashells where they find them, highlighting their critical role in the marine ecosystem. While collecting shells is a cherished activity for many, including families like the Van Bergels in Albany, Western Australia, scientists emphasize that nature needs these shells more than humans do.

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There will always be more shells, but the problem is that nature needs those shells more than we need them on our bathroom vanity.

University of Western Australia marine biologist Tim Langlois explains that the south coast of Western Australia is home to a diverse array of seashells from unique marine species. These species are often slow-growing and found in limited locations, meaning much about their diversity remains unknown. The shells themselves are crucial, serving as homes, grit, or building materials for marine organisms and the next generation of sea life.

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So nature uses those shells as homes or as grit or as building materials for the next generation.

Professor Nathan English of Central Queensland University points out that while shells may seem abundant, they are essential components of the natural environment. He advises people to admire shells on the beach, take photographs, or incorporate them into sandcastles before leaving them behind. Western Australia does have regulations, including a limit of 10 shells per day outside of marine parks, to manage collection.

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If there's been a huge storm, I'm like, let's go and we get the kids, we get our little shell-collecting baskets, and we go and find the prettiest shells.

The call to leave shells stems from their integral function in supporting marine biodiversity. They are not merely decorative objects but vital resources for the survival and reproduction of various sea creatures. Appreciating their beauty in situ or through documentation is encouraged as a way to preserve these natural treasures and their ecological significance.

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We're pretty lucky in Albany. We've got some beautiful big shells, small shells, all shapes, really.