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

 

One Person’s Campaign to Clean Up Tons of Rubbish Washed Up on Fraser Island

Heidi

By Jennifer Parkhurst

While on Fraser Island I divide my time between observing/photographing the dingoes, and picking rubbish up from the beaches. Both pursuits are my passions.

I have lived at Rainbow Beach for nearly 7 years and visit Fraser Island daily to observe and photograph the dingoes. In the early days while visiting the Island, I noticed that there was a huge amount of rubbish on the beach, especially in the many creeks on the eastern side of the island.

The rubbish was literally choking these creeks which should have been pristine, especially in a World Heritage Area.

Day after day I drove past the same pieces of rubbish. Eventually, sick of seeing it, I took it apon myself to clean the beach, and have been doing so nearly every day since. It has been an interesting journey and I’ve learnt a lot about the environment along the way

Read more “One Person’s Campaign to Clean Up Tons of Rubbish Washed Up on Fraser Island”

2007 Cape to Cape Clean Up Summary

Heidi

In 2007, 274 volunteers spent a total of 863 hours removing more than 19,081 individual pieces of marine debris from 47 stretches of coast covering over 107km of coastline.

The debris weighed over 1,190 kilograms and filled more than 244 bags with many other items too large and heavy to be placed in bags. Debris items included 5,395 pieces of small plastic, 1523 lids and bottle tops, 1,459m of rope, 566 pieces of packing tape, 613 plastic bottles, 149 plastic bags and 649 cigarette butts. 83% of all debris found was made of plastic.

2008 C2C Technical Data Report

2006 Cape to Cape Beach Clean Up Summary

Heidi

In 2006, 191 volunteers spent a total of 492 hours removing more than 11,566 individual pieces of marine debris from 43 stretches of coast.

The debris weighed over 1,739 kilograms and filled more than 216 bags with many other items too large and heavy to be placed in bags. Unfortunately, 1 snake in a bottle, bird skulls & skeletons, a decaying whale, kangaroo, penguin and a fox were also found. Debris items included 3,397 pieces of small plastic, 878 lids and bottle tops, 668m of rope, 240 pieces of packing tape, 427 plastic bottles, 441 plastic bags and 812 cigarette butts. 85.6% of all debris found was made of plastic.

2006 TB Report for Minister Cape to Cape Beach Clean Up

2005 Cape to Cape Beach Clean Up Summary

Heidi

In 2005, one hundred volunteers braved 40 knot winds and a seven metre swell to collect more than 8,200 individual pieces of marine debris from 30 stretches of coastline.

The debris collected more than 1,022 kg and filled over 135 bags filled with many other items too large and heavy to be placed in bags. The debris included 1,878 small pieces of plastic, 1,347 lids and bottle tops, 1,000m of rope, 427 pieces of packing tape, 632 plastic bottles and 320 plastic bags. 90% of all debris found was made of plastic. Unfortunately 3 dead seals, 4 dead birds including one young Yellow Nosed Albatross, 7 dead fish including one porcupine fish entangled in shredded plastic packaging were also found.

2005 TB Report for Minister Cape to Cape Beach Clean Up
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