AMDI Network

AMDI Network

Australian Marine Debris Initiative Information Page

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 Australian Marine Debris Initiative includes:

  • Marine debris and beach clean up events
  • On-going marine debris monitoring programs
  • Presentations on the marine debris issue
  • Workshops on mitigation strategies on marine debris
  • The Australian Marine Debris Database
  • Educational resources and clean up materials
  • CyberTracker training and data collection methods

If you are interested in joining the Australian Marine Debris Initiative or finding out more send us an email to info@tangaroablue.org

NETWORK NEWS

 

Tangaroa Blue Foundation Partners with Australian Skateboarding

Carmen Torraca

In June, the Tangaroa Blue Foundation welcomed our newest partners,  the Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative (ASCI).

The ASCI have a large community network and following all around Australia, that works to connect skatepark users, Councils, Government, Sponsors and other partners in the development of sustainable skatepark plans which benefit the whole community. Beyond skateboarding, the ASCI ethos extends to environmental stewardship and support for charitable organisations.

The ASCI will connect skateboarding events such as the ‘Rumble on the Reef’ festival in September with Tangaroa Blue Foundation activities.

We are excited to embark on this original partnership with ASCI, connecting and expanding our audiences and bringing light to the issue of marine debris, and in particular single-use plastics.

You can learn more about the Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative on the ASCI website.

ReefClean Unearths Toxic Hazards

Carmen Torraca

Tangaroa Blue Foundation, through their ReefClean project, has unearthed several hazards in their most recent monitoring survey of marine debris impacting the Great Barrier Reef region.

Two unmarked silver canisters were found washed ashore northern Cape York beaches. These are filled with aluminium phosphide, a toxic combination of chemicals that are fatal to ingest or inhale, used in fumigation aboard ships. Officials urge locals not to touch these canisters, stand upwind to avoid possible inhalation, and to phone 000 immediately if any are found. Read more “ReefClean Unearths Toxic Hazards”

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