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Reefclean®

Removing and preventing marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef region.

reefClean.landscape.logo.CMYK

ReefClean is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and is delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation in partnership with a variety of organizations. Launched in early 2019, the project aims to remove and prevent marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef region.

A program of targeted and integrated marine debris activities, ReefClean has reduced the volume of debris generated in or entering the Great Barrier Reef that may impact threatened and migratory species and ecosystems. It has also increased awareness in Reef catchment communities about marine debris and actions they can undertake to prevent litter from entering Reef waterways.

 

This has occurred through:

  • Community clean-up events
  • Site monitoring
  • The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up event annually in October
  • Community Source Reduction Plan Workshops
  • School and community engagement activities
  • Data analysis
  • Disaster management clean-ups
  • Microplastics surveys
VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Tangaroa Blue Foundation acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the Great Barrier Reef and their strong and continuing connections to Country.

Protect the Reef this October
Sign up for the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up!
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Join the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up
Sign up to Protect the Reef this October!
Find out more
Join the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up
Sign up to Protect the Reef this October!
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Join the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up
Sign up to Protect the Reef this October!
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2024 - Today

In 2024, the ReefClean program received funding from the Federal Government’s Reef Trust for a further three year program. This program builds on and complements the initial program as well as existing programs and activities operating across the Great Barrier Reef and its catchment.

 

The 2024 – 2027 program aims to:

 

  • reduce the volume of debris generated in or entering the Great Barrier Reef, which may impact listed threatened and migratory species, such as dugongs and turtles, and the Reef’s ecosystems.
  • Increase awareness in Reef catchment communities about the issue of marine debris and actions they can take.
  • Embrace the circular economy principles to divert marine debris into ReefCycle and Rig Recycle programs.
  • Provide an integrated framework for addressing marine debris that connects all relevant stakeholders and provides scalable resources, case studies, and solutions.

2019 - 2023

The initial five year program funded by the Federal Government’s Reef Trust, started in 2019. The project aimed to remove and prevent marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef region through to 2023.

 

To do this, Tangaroa Blue Foundation partnered with several organisations to achieve success: Reef Check Australia, Capricornia Catchments, Eco Barge Clean Seas, OceanWatch Australia, South Cape York Catchments and AUSMAP.

 

The initial ReefClean program was delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation and more than 400 stakeholders from 2019-2023.

ReefClean® Partners

Check out ReefClean on Instagram

Shoutout to the @reefcheckaustralia team for anoth Shoutout to the @reefcheckaustralia team for another exceptional #ReefClean land & sea clean-up, on Hook Island in the Whitsundays! 

Only one piece of #marinedebris was reported by the snorkel crew 🐚
However, the debris collected from the shore included bottle tops, a sock, and various plastic remnants.

This area in Luncheon Bay is home to stunning reefs and diverse fish life 🐠 Let's keep these precious places clean!

Special thanks to John at @whitsundayparadiseexplorer for getting the crew to the site.

#AMDI #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Gather your crew, we'll provide the kit! 🎉 We' Gather your crew, we'll provide the kit! 🎉

We've got you! Register a clean-up in October as part of #GBRCU25, and we'll send you a free clean-up kit and resources to make your event a success. 

What are you waiting for 👉 Click the link in our bio http://www.reefclean.org

#GBRCU25 is run by Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s @ReefClean program in collaboration with @cleanupaustralia 

#ProtectTheReef #beachcleanup #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #reefclean #ReefTrust #GreatBarrierReef  @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
The @reefcheckaustralia team recently cleaned-up o The @reefcheckaustralia team recently cleaned-up over 500 pieces of marine debris on Magnetic Island! 

Dedicated volunteers undertook a land and snorkel clean-up, collecting hard plastic, glass, and food packaging from the beach, along with soft and hard plastics directly from the reef 🐠 

They also recorded what they found on the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (#AMDI) Database 🙌

We acknowledge the Wulgurukaba people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea Country where these activities took place.

#marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
32kg of plastic collected at Waite Bay! The @ree 32kg of plastic collected at Waite Bay! 

The @reefcheckaustralia team returned to Haslewood Island, 1 year after the last #ReefClean visit 👣 Substantial debris was found on the beach (3,000+ items) including a LOT of bottle tops and toothbrushes. 
Despite time & tide constraints, a visible difference was made! 🌊

Special thanks to John at @whitsundayparadiseexplorer for getting the crew to the site. We acknowledge the Ngaro people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea Country where these surveys were conducted.

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
It's clean-up time! ⏰The brilliant @reefcheckaus It's clean-up time! ⏰The brilliant @reefcheckaustralia team have been conducting #ReefClean monitoring at Norval Beach, Yandaran Creek, Burnett River, and Nielsons Beach!

Unfortunately, these serene locations are affected by discarded fishing lines and litter, such as wrappers and cigarette butts 🚬

Hats off to the Yandaran locals for implementing their own initiative - a cigarette disposal bin at the entrance to the site!

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Yesterday, Project Coordinator Lucy joined the @Wi Yesterday, Project Coordinator Lucy joined the @WildlifeHabitat Community Day, set amongst the wildlife park in Port Douglas. 

What a great day, promoting environmental organisations in Far North Queensland and educating the many kids in attendance on the importance of looking after our environment. 💙

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
📢 @tangaroablue and #ReefClean are looking for 📢 @tangaroablue and #ReefClean are looking for a new project coordinator based in Gladstone! 

Are you passionate about protecting the Great Barrier Reef and want to make a real impact? We're searching for a new casual or part-time coordinator to help drive community engagement and science-based solutions to tackle marine debris.

Applications close: 11:59pm on Thursday 24th July
Find out more 👉 Link in Bio

#job #hiring #environmentjob #qld #AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation
What's the weirdest piece of plastic you've found What's the weirdest piece of plastic you've found in the ocean? 🧐

One of our amazing team members, Ian, found some unusual debris during an impromptu clean-up, including a full packet of fire starters, a golf ball (covered by a marine sponge), and a toy shark-boat. 

Leave a comment with the strangest piece of marine debris you've cleaned-up ⬇️

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Ready to make a difference? 🪸Join us for the #R Ready to make a difference? 🪸Join us for the #ReefClean community clean-up at Baku (Cape Kimberley) on the traditional lands of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people. 

Together with fellow volunteers, help to protect this stunning beach and its marine life 🐚 Open to all, clean-up equipment provided!

Check out our  Facebook event for more details 👉 Link in Bio.

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Wind and rain are no match for our hardy clean-up Wind and rain are no match for our hardy clean-up crew! 🌧️

Our Clump Point team tackled a beach clean-up to honour the 50th anniversary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 🐠

An incredible 22 kg of plastic was collected, including 600 pieces of deteriorating plastic, which was all sorted and recorded in the AMDI Database!

Among the discoveries were gorgeous spider webs and a skeleton of a sea snake 🐍

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
We removed 13.1 kg of debris from Four Mile Beach We removed 13.1 kg of debris from Four Mile Beach during this month's #ReefClean monitoring 🗑️💪

The team found 31 cigarette butts, an abandoned tent and plenty of drink bottles among the debris.

Thanks to coordinators Lucy and Gabby, as well as our dedicated volunteers, Sue, Tim, and Lauren, for their hard work. If you're local, always remember to take your litter with you ♻️

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Coconuts Beach has been living up to its name! 🌴

During June monitoring, the #tangaroablue team, alongside the Mamu Land and Sea Rangers, uncovered over 14 kg of marine debris, which was hiding amongst the many coconuts that lined the shore.

The debris found included 153 pieces of degraded plastic and polystyrene, which were all carefully weighed and logged into the AMDI Database 📋

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
9 kilograms of marine debris and a fridge!? Thank 9 kilograms of marine debris and a fridge!?

Thanks to our friends at @port_of_townsville Climate and Environment Team, who assisted with our quarterly monitoring at Secret Beach this month 🙌

Now, to sort the debris into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database (we reported the fridge to TCC) 📲

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
25kgs of marine debris off Alva Beach!? Most of 25kgs of marine debris off Alva Beach!? 

Most of it came from the team digging this big plastic pallet out of the sand during this month's marine debris monitoring 💪

They did a great job removing it before it broke up into smaller fragments!

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Building new connections at the Junior Rangers Net Building new connections at the Junior Rangers Network meet-up! 

Last week, Project Coordinator Lucy attended a networking session hosted by the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program.

What a great way to build new connections and strengthen our existing relationships with Junior Ranger groups across Queensland!

We look forward to continuing our support for Indigenous youth programs and fostering environmental stewardship on Country 🌏 

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Around 5.6–6.4 tonnes of plastic reside within f Around 5.6–6.4 tonnes of plastic reside within female green sea turtles globally, according to a research team that has made the first attempt to understand how much plastic is inside marine animals. 

Their model also explored correlations between the amount of plastic debris a turtle ingests and the location of turtles, socio-economic factors (income of the nearest country), and the foraging behaviour of turtles. 

Read more 🔗 Link in Bio.

Thanks to Jodi, our Database Manager, for her photo of a green sea turtle.

#news #AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef
Fly Point monitoring on Gudang Country is all wrap Fly Point monitoring on Gudang Country is all wrapped up for this quarter, with a higher-than-usual 66kg of debris removed from the 200m-long beach 📈

Thanks to the Apudthama rangers we were able to attribute this to sustained high SE winds over the last few months. The region has experienced a late and strong monsoon season, which has also led to new water runoff eroding some of the dunes.

Coordinator Ebony explains, "During our monitoring, not only are we tracking and recording marine debris patterns, but we are also able to maintain documentation of environmental changes over the years through our AMDI Database. Big esso to the Apudthama rangers for helping us collect the debris and maintain a thorough count of the lids."

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
Takeaway packaging, sweet wrappers, cigarette butt Takeaway packaging, sweet wrappers, cigarette butts and some bits of a bicycle! 🚲

Project Coordinator Ian and our volunteers have been busy assessing marine debris at three of our quarterly monitoring sites: Auckland Creek, Agnes Surf Beach and Barney Point 🔎

Auckland Creek had some particularly grotty debris this time round, and lots of glass was found (as usual) at Barney Point.

Special thanks to Lily Pan for your help over the last 2 days!

 #AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
2024 Data Spotlight: Burnett Mary 📊 Our Burnet 2024 Data Spotlight: Burnett Mary 📊

Our Burnett Mary volunteers conducted 33 clean-ups last year, dedicating 196 hours to protecting the Reef! Our data shows debris density at our monitoring locations has increased in the last two years (0.03 and 0.04) compared with 2020 - 2022 levels (0.01).

Top Items:
1️⃣ Hard Plastic Remnants
2️⃣ Plastic Lids
3️⃣ Plastic Drink Bottles

Over the next few weeks, we'll share snippets of our 2024 #ReefClean data. Click the link in our bio for the complete, easy-to-read report.

Pictured: Microplastic monitoring at Norval Park.

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @TangaroaBlue @gbrmarinepark
𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 is BACK and taking over 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – and this year, it's going to be epic! 🌴🌞

Celebrating the vibrant and adventurous lifestyle of North Queensland, this year's theme is "outdoor living".

Come visit the Tangaroa Blue Foundation and #ReefClean stand to learn more about the marine debris issue, and how you can get involved!

What else is in store?
- DockDogs 🐕
- live entertainment 🎶
- interactive spaces and workshops🎨
- outdoor activities galore 🏃‍♂️
- heaps of fun for the kids👧
- inspiring storytelling📚
- community stalls and SO much more!🎪

For more information, visit Council's What's On Townsville website 👉 Click the link in our bio.

#AMDI #marinedebris #Tangaroablue #tangaroabluefoundation #reefclean #ReefTrust #Reef2050 #GreatBarrierReef @Reeftrustausgov @DCCEEW @gbrmarinepark @townsvillecouncil
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ReefClean News

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Cape Kimberley Beach Clean-up Quarterly Monitoring Site

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ReefClean Unearths Toxic Hazards

Tangaroa Blue Foundation, through their ReefClean project, has unearthed several hazards in...
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