Volunteers descended on Pallarenda Beach today for the launch of the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up 2025, rolling up their sleeves to remove thousands of pieces of marine debris threatening the Reef’s precious ecosystems.
The month-long event, coordinated by Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s ReefClean program (funded by the Australian Government) and in collaboration with Clean Up Australia, will see 80+ clean-ups taking place across Queensland in October.
Communities, schools, and organisations will collect and have the opportunity to record debris from coastlines, feeding the data into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database – the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the Albanese Government was committed to protecting and restoring the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come. “Reducing the amount of rubbish entering the Reef is one of the most valuable, tangible actions we can take to protect it, and everyone can play their part.” Minister Watt said.
At today’s flagship launch in Townsville, participants removed debris along Pallarenda Beach and recorded what they found, turning community action into valuable data that helps tackle pollution at its source. Among the 28 kilograms of rubbish collected was a large sheet of artificial grass and a bin lid, along with the usual suspects of many drink bottle tops and cigarette butts!
“Marine debris is one of the fastest growing threats to the Great Barrier Reef,” said Tangaroa Blue Foundation CEO, Heidi Tait. “The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up empowers communities to take action to remove rubbish before the wet season washes it from catchments to the Reef. All while building the evidence we need to stop marine debris from reaching our waterways in the first place.”
Josh Thomas (CEO, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Jenny Geddes (CEO, Clean Up Australia) and Heidi Tait (CEO/Founder, Tangaroa Blue Foundation) joined the clean-up.
Jenny Geddes (Clean Up Australia) comments: “I encourage everyone in the region to get involved and register to join a local Clean Up. This will help to keep waterways free from litter and debris and, in turn, protect the precious Reef.”
Since its inception, the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up has removed hundreds of thousands of pieces of marine debris (97,000 at last year’s event alone) and engaged thousands of volunteers across the Reef catchment.
About the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up is a flagship initiative of Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s ReefClean® program, delivered in collaboration with Clean Up Australia. The event mobilises communities across the Reef catchment to remove marine debris, collect vital data, and take action to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.
About ReefClean®
ReefClean® is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation and partner organisations. The program combines debris removal, source reduction strategies, and community engagement to protect the Great Barrier Reef from marine debris.
About Tangaroa Blue Foundation®
Tangaroa Blue Foundation® works to prevent and remove marine debris in Australia and across regions. We use the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) framework to inspire behaviour change and innovation and empower communities, industry, and government to make data-driven decisions that improve ocean health.
About Clean Up Australia
Founded by Ian Kiernan AO in 1990, Clean Up Australia is one of the country’s most recognised and trusted environmental organisations, inspiring and mobilising communities to improve and conserve our environment, eliminate litter and end waste. Clean Up Australia works with the community, governments and businesses to provide practical solutions to help all Australians live more sustainably every day of the year. Today, the organisation’s focus is as much on preventing litter from entering our environment as it is on removing what has already accumulated.
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