Tangaroa Blue staff, volunteers and local rangers teamed up to remove almost two tonnes of rubbish from beaches around Mapoon during an annual clean-up at the start of July. Photo: Supplied.
Nearly two tonnes of debris was removed from beaches around Mapoon when the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, a small army of volunteers, Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation and the Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers held the annual winter clean-up earlier this month.
Most of the debris found during the week-long effort was from international sources, as currents and winds bring in marine rubbish from afar.
A Tangaroa Blue spokesperson said while a “whopping” 23 per cent of the debris consisted of plastic drink bottles, drift net floats and rubber thongs were among the most common items removed from the beaches.
This 2000 Birdsville Cup commemorative tinnie was part of nearly two tonnes of beach debris collected by volunteers at Mapoon. Photo: Supplied.
They added there were a few items that caused second glances from volunteers, including a cordial bottle nearly five decades old.
“The team also found debris that had been in the ocean for a long time, including a cordial bottle from the 1970s and a beer can from the millennium,” the spokesperson said.
“The team cleared 10 kilometres of the 14km beach of marine debris, leaving the local rangers hopeful this could be the first year the entire beach is cleared.”
The clean-up was funded through the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program, and made possible due to a strong collaboration between Tangaroa Blue, local organisations and willing volunteers.
The Cape York beach clean-up continue this week, with the Tangaroa Blue team joining volunteers, Kuuku Ya’u Aboriginal Corporation rangers and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff at Chili Beach from 27 July-2 August.
Following the Chili Beach effort, the focus will turn to Captain Billy’s Landing with Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation leading the charge from 2-4 September.
To volunteer, email [email protected].
Part of the volunteer army makes its way up the beach. Photo: Supplied.
