The Australian Marine Debris Initiative is a network of communities, schools, industries, government agencies and individuals focused on reducing the amount of marine debris washing into our oceans.
On every beach around Australia you will find some form of marine debris, from litter left by visitors to international debris, to ghost nets or rubbish washed from far inland through stormwater drains.
The statistics are horrifying with the United Nationals' Regional Seas Program estimating more than 18,000 pieces of plastic in each square kilometre of ocean; and other research estimating more than 8 million tonnes of debris entering the world's oceans each year. The majority of this marine debris is plastic, which due to its chemical makeup is a long lasting material. Plastics, once released into the environment, never biodegrade, instead photodegrading breaking into smaller and smaller pieces of the original item, forever remaining in the environment.
The Australian Marine Debris Initiative is a way that everyone can become involved in both the removal of marine debris and finding solutions to stop the flow of rubbish into our oceans.
The Let’s Strain the Drains – Warrnambool will be the first stormwater debris monitoring project in Warrnambool, and just the second one across Victoria. This innovative project is supported by the Victorian State Government through the Coastcare Victoria Community Grant, delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation & Cleanwater Group with support from the Warrnambool City Council. Read more “Let’s Strain the Drains Warrnambool”
Every year from May to September the Tangaroa Blue crew makes several trips to Cape York to hold multi-day clean-ups at various locations.
Cape York is known as one of Australia’s last true wilderness areas. Our volunteers can attest that visiting these remote areas with us has been life-enhancing, with many wanting to join us year after year.
On the 26th Jan a mystery net (estimated weight around 600kg) was picked up by Sea Swift’s MV Malu Trojan at Switzer Reef near Barrow Island Point (just south of Princess Charlotte Bay). It was found on the edge of the main shipping lane and was lucky to be spotted by the skipper before getting caught in any propellers or trapping any marine life. A mini investigation ensued to find out the story behind it’s travel across the seas!
On Wednesday the 18 millionth item was entered into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database by members of the Eurobodalla Marine Debris Working Group, Landcare and South Head residents!
