ReefClean

ReefClean

ReefClean is a project funded by the Australian Government's Reef Trust. Launched in early 2019, the project aims to remove and prevent marine debris along the Great Barrier Reef region through to 2023. In order to do this, Tangaroa Blue Foundation has partnered with several organisations to achieve success: Reef Check Australia, Capricornia Catchments, Eco Barge Clean Seas,  OceanWatch Australia, South Cape York Catchments, AUSMAP, and Think Spatial.

The ReefClean project will deliver the following services:

  • Community clean-up events
  • Site monitoring
  • The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up event annually in October
  • Community Source Reduction Plan Workshops
  • School and community engagement activities
  • Data analysis
  • Disaster management clean-ups

Keep an eye on our events calendar for information on our activities.

 

ReefClean News

 

 

First ‘Project ReCon’ Ghost Gear Captured

Stef Barney

Project ReCon tracks and retrieves first deadly and destructive ghost gear 4 kms off the coast from Weipa

The first ghost gear has been tracked by Tangaroa Blue’s Project ReCon team and retrieved by Indigenous rangers 4 kms off the coast of Weipa.

With the support of Satlink, the Project ReCon team repurposed an echo sounder buoy, which was recovered during a recent clean-up, to track and monitor the 3 tonnes of discarded commercial fishing gear while the Indigenous rangers, Australian Border Force and Capricornia Contracting mobilised to collect it.

Read more “First ‘Project ReCon’ Ghost Gear Captured”

A Record-Breaking Cleanup in Wuthathi

Stef Barney

Wuthathi Ngaachi (Country) and Karakara (Sea Country) is located in the area surrounding Shelburne Bay on the North Eastern coast of Cape York, about 800km north of Cairns.

It is a place full of incredible cultural significance and biodiversity, and the landscape absolutely takes your breath away. However, unfortunately the beaches are heavily impacted by marine debris from locations far and wide.

Read more “A Record-Breaking Cleanup in Wuthathi”

Lights, Camera, Plastic: A Glance into Hollywood’s Impact on Our Plastic Future

Stef Barney
In a 2021 report titled “Flip The Script: Can Hollywood Help Us Imagine a Future Without Plastic?”, the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center explored the portrayal of single-use plastics in film, television, and media. The report analysed 32 popular TV shows and discovered that single-use plastics were pervasive, averaging 28 items per episode.
 
Through our Ditch the Flick campaign, we took these project one step further and focused on a specific plastic item: cigarette butts. This project analysed trends in smoking rates, disposal methods and smoker behaviour throughout the top 2 grossing films from each year between 1970 and 2019.
By delving into data from blockbuster movies spanning five decades, the “Ditch the Flick” campaign sought to draw attention to how smoking and plastic pollution have been intertwined over the years. Cigarette butts, though seemingly small, are often overlooked contributors to plastic pollution. Through this project, the goal was to raise awareness of their environmental impact and advocate for responsible disposal methods.
 
A big thank you to Dr Jennifer Lavers and Dr Annett Finger for this assistance in designing the movie audit design.

Microplastic Study Reveals Insights and Calls for Continued Monitoring

Stef Barney

The five-year ReefClean Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP)(2019-2023) has collected 126 samples from 44 sites, providing valuable insights into microplastic pollution in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The recently added March 2023 samples mark the conclusion of this study, highlighting both the seasonal and varying nature of microplastic loads and the low overall levels of microplastics compared to densely populated areas. However, the project underscores the need for continued monitoring to analyse the effects of climatic variances and address the sources of microplastics.

Read more “Microplastic Study Reveals Insights and Calls for Continued Monitoring”

Alternatives to Balloons: A Real Reason to Celebrate!

Mathilde Gordon

Releasing balloons may seem like a harmless and fun way to celebrate, but as Isaac Newton once said, what goes up must come down! This is no different for balloons that are released into the air, and unfortunately they pose a key threat to the Great Barrier Reef and our oceans as a whole. 

Most balloon releases occur in suburban or rural areas. This is because the assumption that being away from coastal areas will reduce the effect of balloons on the marine environment. The Queensland government states that balloons can travel up to 800 km in distance from their original release point; this causes them to become a major environmental hazard. 

Thankfully, there are a number of alternatives to balloons that can be used for all kinds of celebrations. Check out our Alternatives to Balloons Fact Sheet for some great ideas.

Read more “Alternatives to Balloons: A Real Reason to Celebrate!”

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