Over 60 do-gooding locals braved the high temperatures and great humidity over the weekend to participate in the Clean Up Australia Day held at Coral Sea Marina
This annual event is part of the broader national event which takes place on the first week of March each year and has seen 21 million Australians participate over the last 33 years.
Our local event is hosted in partnership with Tangaroa Blue and Reef Clean and this year, over 100 kilograms of litter was collected from Cannonvale Beach through to the Airlie Beach foreshore.
The passionate team from Tangaroa Blue and Reef Clean sorted a huge sample of the litter collected and entered the data into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database, which then provides a valuable source of measured information from which education and source reduction programs can be developed.
From discarded clothing to food packaging and car parts, all types of litter were collected throughout the day.
Joscelyn O’Keefe, Coral Sea Marina’s Head of Marketing and Business Development, said she was happy with the turnout.
“This was our biggest year yet in terms of volume collected - 100kg of litter in two-hours is a terrific effort from all those who participated.
“We are incredibly grateful to all who gave up their morning in the sweltering heat to give back to our beautiful region.”
Volunteers from the Coral Sea Marina Clean Up Australia Day. Photos supplied
