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.
Archer Point Clean Up Data Collection
December 2nd 2008
| Plastic Bags | 34 | Plastic Bag Remnants | 15 | Balloons | 1 | Broken Glass | 2 |
| Shoes | 113 | Glass Drink Bottles | 12 | Clothing | 4 | Glass Jars | 2 |
| Paper | 2 | Plastic Drink Bottles | 166 | Toys | 2 | Aerosol Cans | 4 |
| Binding | 2 | Alumimium Cans | 8 | Pens | 3 | Food Wrap | 6 |
| Buoys | 7 | Lids/Bottletops/Corks | 127 | Glasses | 1 | Plastic Wrap | 1 |
| Fishing Line | 4 | Cups/Plates/Cutlery | 5 | Nets | 9 | Bleach Bottles | 35 |
| Fish Lures | 1 | Plastic Containers | 38 | Tarps | 2 | Cylumes | 2 |
| Bait Bands | 12 | Polystyrene Foam | 46 | Rope m | 51 | Light Bulbs | 2 |
| Broom | 1 | Pieces of Plastic | 231 | Rubber | 3 | Oil Bottles | 18 |
| Pipe | 1 | Fishing Rod/Reel | 8 | Torch | 1 | Cable Tie | 1 |
| Car Parts | 4 | Electrical Cable | 2 | Wood | 3 | Batteries | 1 |
| Brush | 2 | Cigarette Lighter | 4 | Metal | 1 | Toothbrush | 12 |
| Razor | 1 | Tyres | 1 |
Volunteering with Conservation Volunteers Australia is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and learn new skills – while making a real difference to the environment. You choose the level of your commitment, and can enjoy the experience with family and friends.
Conservation Volunteers Australia is Australia’s leading organisation for practical conservation, completing more than 2000 conservation projects across Australia every year.
Conservation Volunteers Australia welcomes everyone who shares a love of the outdoors and a commitment to the Australian environment. To get involved Freecall 1800 032 501 and www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
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