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

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

 

Low Isles, Woody Island and Snapper Island Clean Up

Heidi

As part of the Far North Queensland Marine Debris Project an Island Clean Up was held on May 17th, 2009 on three islands: Heritage Listed Low Isles, Woody Island and Snapper Island all located in Queensland just off Port Douglas. 28 volunteers went to Low Isles and Woody Island and 16 volunteers went to Snapper Island for the clean up which was organised by Tangaroa Blue Foundation and The Low Isles Preservation Society. Funding for the event was provided by the QLD Government through a Natural Resource Awareness Grant.

The volunteers that went out to Snapper Island brought back over 25 bags full of rubbish and some larger items including 2 tyres that wouldn’t fit in bags. About 2/3 of the island was cleaned up. The most obscure items included a sharps container full of syringes, a motorcycle helmet, pool noodles and a toilet seat. Also collected from Snapper Island were 267 plastic drink bottles, 56 aluminium cans, 40 shoes and 354 pieces of polystyrene foam. The total number of items collected from Snapper Island was 1252 items, weighing 136kg. Photo right: Cassie Senner, Alan Crabtree and Deb Eastop with a boat load of debris on Snapper Island.

Read more “Low Isles, Woody Island and Snapper Island Clean Up”

2008 South West Marine Debris Project Report to the Minister

Heidi

The 2008 South West Marine Debris Project Report to the Minister aims to provide an update of our research findings and a list of recommendations which focus on reducing the amount of marine debris being found in local waters.

Thanks to the many government agencies and organisations for funding and support, enabling us to continue the South West Marine Debris Project.

2008 SWMDP Report to the Minister

Conservation Volunteers Australia Clean Up Cooktown

Heidi

The beaches in Far North Queensland are being targeted for practical care through a combined project by Conservation Volunteers Australia, Tangaroa Blue Foundation, the Cape York Marine Advisory Group and the local Cooktown school.

On the 2nd December volunteers joined to help create a better earth by helping out at a marine debris clean up at Archer Point, just south of Cooktown.

The clean up took about 3 hours to complete and volunteers collected over 1015 items of rubbish weighing approximately 99 kilograms from just 200 metres of beach!

A survey of the marine debris was conducted compiling the following totals.

Read more “Conservation Volunteers Australia Clean Up Cooktown”

International Year of the Reef Festival Clean Up

Heidi

October 25th saw the first official clean up event for Tangaroa Blue Foundation in the Far North Queensland town of Port Douglas. The event was to coincide with the International Year of the Reef Festival which showcased and celebrated the famous Great Barrier Reef and looked at ways that visitors and locals could help to protect it.

Qamar Schuyler, who was part of the organising committee of the festival explained that “the festival goals are not only to raise awareness of the value of the Great Barrier Reef to our community and the environmental threats that it’s facing, but also to inspire broad-scale changes in attitude and behaviour to protect and conserve our resource. In short, we aim to make a real difference.”

The clean up event was held on Saturday morning at 5 sites along 4 Mile Beach, the Marina Mirage and the Port Douglas Yacht Club. Close to 40 volunteers helped out during the morning before heading down to the community centre for a sausage sizzle and a chance to compare notes of what was found by other volunteers.

Read more “International Year of the Reef Festival Clean Up”

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