Mayor Jim Pollock said the free campsite along the coast was in an appalling state and the council workers spent a lot of time cleaning it.

He said the council will put up signboard in the area and necessary action will be taken if anyone is found guilty of leaving behind their rubbish along the shore or the camping area.

"I understand that a minority is causing this trouble and it is not painting a very good picture about our city and our facilities," Mr Pollock said.

"We have a lot of people from outside Whyalla visiting the area but I believe the rubbish is being dumped by a few of our locals.

"Shack owners living in the area have found diapers, fish carcasses, household rubbish and many more things on the coastline that have been left behind by campers.

"I sincerely hope more civic pride is taken and the free facilities are well looked after by everyone.

"If the council receives information about anyone throwing rubbish in the area and it can be proven, we will surely take necessary steps to take the person to task.

"We have a very beautiful environment out there and I hope it is maintained in an eco-friendly manner so that it is enjoyed by everyone."

When the Whyalla News visited the camp site at Point Douglas on Friday last week piles of undersized female crabs, fish and baby sharks were being cleaned up by near-by shack owner Fred Pidun.

He said shackowners from the area got together once a week to clean up the camp sites along the coast.

The camp areas also had broken glass and empty alcohol bottles lying about.

A few trees have been cut up and a lot of vegetation along the coast has been damaged.

Mr Pidun said a few motorcyclists raced in the area and campers sometimes cut down trees and burnt down trunks.

He said some campers were very good and responsible but a few did not care about the environment.

"I fail to understand why one would catch fish and crabs if they cannot or do not want to eat them,"Mr Pidun said.

"I wonder what they intend to do with the baby sharks it's such a waste and a pity that some people do not value their environment.

"All these campsites are for free and the council and people living in the area clean them up yet we have some irresponsible people who leave their rubbish behind.

"The council should put up some notices and I sincerely hope that good sense will prevail in campers so that they leave something nice and beautiful for the future."