An army of volunteers is being recruited for what is tipped to be the Margaret River region’s biggest beach clean-up.
From October 11-14, volunteers from the Capes region will join Tangaroa Blue Foundation and Nature Conservation Margaret River Region to clean-up the coastline. It’s part of Tangaroa’s state-wide beach clean-up day and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the event.
“Every year, community groups, organisations, supporters, schools, and individuals come together at the WA Beach Clean-up, which is celebrating its this year. In this special year, we want to make the clean-up the biggest and best yet,” says Tangaroa Blue’s senior project coordinator Casey Woodward.
Over the last 19 years, the WA Beach clean-up has helped remove 45 tonnes of marine debris from our precious coastline. That’s more than the average weight of an adult humpback whale! Not only do they clean-up marine debris, but the finds are also recorded on the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database. By recording where, how much and what sort of debris is found, they collect evidence that can later be used to help create plans to reduce the waste at its source – before it ever reaches the ocean.
Ms Woodward is encouraging as many people and groups as possible in the region to get involved and come and join the special “Sip N Sort” celebration event at Margaret River Brewhouse on Sunday, October 13 from 2.30-4.00pm, supported by Nature Conservation Margaret River.
“Complete your beach clean-up and bring the debris along to our event where we will help you sort and enter your finds into the AMDI Database. We are lucky to be joined by our CEO Heidi Tait who is making the special trip over from Queensland to be back where the WABCU started two decades ago,” says Casey.
Nature Conservation’s coastal officer Mandy Polley urged surfers, hikers, fishers and anyone who enjoys the coast to help collect rubbish and keep our coast pristine. “Our beaches are a playground for families, surfers and beach-lovers. We’re urging everyone to register your favourite beach or special location and give just a couple of hours of your time to help keep it clean,” she said. “Get in quick so you can secure your preferred spot, beach or coastal location.”
Margaret River Brewhouse’s Ilya Hastings said: “As supporters and beach combers from the very first Beach Clean-up 20 years ago in our beautiful south west, we are so stoked to be a part of the 20 year event and celebration. We are doing a bunch of things that should contribute to the festivities and support the crew that are out there on the day cleaning our beaches. To start we have brewed a limited edition beer ‘Ellensbrook Lager’ named after the birthplace of the Beach Clean-up – Ellensbrook Beach. We’ll be selling this over our bar during October and for every pint we’ll donate $1 to the AMDI to help to continue to stand up for our oceans and beaches. We’ll also have limited edition cans and cartons to celebrate the great milestone.”
“Then on the big clean up day we’ll be setting up the ‘Sip n Sort’ HQ at our Brewhouse venue. There we can offload (literally) all of the debris collected, have a team get together to make the counting and sorting fun and easy, all whilst sipping on a cold fresh beer. It will be a cracking way to end the day.”
Registering for your clean-up as part of the WA event will give you access to clean-up kits and an event promotion toolkit. They will also add your clean-up to their interactive map. Join in celebrating 20 years of community collaboration and help at the 2024 WABCU event!
You can register your clean-up via their website HERE. If you also want to attend the Sip n Sort event, register HERE.