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18,000 pieces of plastic are estimated to float in every square kilometre of ocean. 276 species worldwide including 77 Australian species are impacted by marine debris. |
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation focused on the health of our marine environment, and coordinates the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, an on-ground network of volunteers, communities, organisations and agencies around the country monitoring the impacts of marine debris along their stretch of coastline. In Maori and Polynesian mythology, Tangaroa is one of the great gods, the god of the ocean. He is the son of Ranginui and Papatuanuku, Sky and Earth. Tangaroa is the father of many sea creatures and his breaths are the tides. Tangaroa made laws to protect the ocean and its sea creatures "Tiaki mai i ahau, maku ano koe e tiaki"... If you look after me, then I will look after you..." The organisation was named Tangaroa Blue Foundation to highlight the importance of protecting our oceans and creating programs and resources to help communities look after their local coastal environment. |
On Saturday March 1, 2014, 26 volunteers from UQ's UniDive, Wild Mob, Clean Oceans Australia, Stradbroke Island VMR, Sibelco, Wildcare Straddie and Reef Check Australia joined together to collect and sort 30kg of rubbish from the foreshore and underwater areas around Amity Point, North Stradbroke Island.
"Together we were able to remove 30 kilograms of rubbish from the area both above and below the waterline. This included hundreds of pieces of rubbish, an estimated 7 kilometres of fishing line and more than a thousand cigarette butts. If anyone misplaced a plastic pirate eye patch, we found it!", said clean-up coordinator Blair Jedras.
Announcing after a year of planning SupExplore Sydney, Adventure Concept Paddle # 4. The circumnavigation of the Sydney basin. In a world first adventure Stuart Murray plans to Stand Up Paddle 350km and portage 50km in a two week period commencing March 2nd. He is inviting people to support him in this ground breaking paddle where he will be supporting Tangaroa Blue Foundation and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative!!
Sponsor Stuart by donating to Tangaroa Blue Foundation - all donations over $2 are tax deductible!
https://www.facebook.com/Supexplore
UPDATE 6/03/2014 - Day Five from Stuart: Made it to Windsor and 31 km after 4hr 56 min into the tide. Big welcome by the Windsor Canoe Club Inc. This club has the essence of mate-ship down. Thank you. The Hawkesbury Gazette was on hand to witness my arrival and look for the story in the Gazzette out next Wednesday. Excited.
Recently my partner and I journeyed to the Banda Islands. A very remote part of Indonesia, better known as the Spice Islands. The Bandas used to be famed as the only place in the world to acquire Nutmeg and Cloves. Now thanks to colonialism nutmeg and cloves are grown in other parts of the world and the Bandas are mostly quiet. The guide book listed these Islands as having pristine waters and perfect snorkelling conditions, just what we avid flipper junkies were after.
We arrived and checked into a guesthouse located on the shores of Banda Neira, with its own jetty close to the public wharf, and a view of Gunung Api - a conically classic volcano. Ecstatic at having at last arrived in this piece of paradise, we leaned over the planks to gaze into the reputed crystal clear water. And it was, so clear that along with the brightly coloured reef fish, you could pick every piece of rubbish out.
Three world champion watermen are set to paddle their way into the record books in March when they attempt a world-first prone paddle across the volatile Bass Strait.
Australian world champion board paddlers Zeb Walsh (30), Brad Gaul (35) will be joined by 19 year-old Californian paddling prodigy Jack Bark, to take on the 300km herculean effort padding from Victoria to Tasmania in a bid to raise funds and awareness about Tangaroa Blue Foundation - a not-for-profit organisation focused on the health of marine enviornments.
Named A Date with The Strait', the paddle has required years of planning and research for the paddlers who have each claimed world titles at the grueling 53km Molokai2Oahu world championship paddle race in Hawaii (The Molokai).
Sponsor the guys for each kilometre they paddle and help Tangaroa Blue Foundation keep our oceans healthy!
And to see the Today Show's interview with the boys visit http://youtu.be/BTgi-5siI0A
UPDATE: 5th March - Last night at 6.10pm Brad, Jack & Zeb landed at Petal Point in NE Tasmania with friends & family there to welcome them after an excruciating 65km final leg from Long Island. Very busy and exciting day for all involved!
With bad weather forecast for the coming days, the trio had to make a quick decision to power through. Lots more news and pics to come now that the team have signal. We'll keep you posted as soon as we have more!
The Australian Marine Debris Initiative is a way that everyone can become involved in both the removal of marine debris and finding solutions to stop the flow of rubbish into our oceans.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian registered charity with tax-deductable status.
A donation to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation Fund goes directly to help continue the fight against marine debris around Australia.
Check out what has been found by volunteers on beaches around Australia!
Since 2004 Tangaroa Blue volunteers and partners have been hard at work cleaning our beaches!
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Postal Address:PO Box 757 PO Box 1176 |