Published on Thursday, 10 June 2021 at 8:56:40 AM
The City of Albany has joined forces with Sea Shepherd Albany to tackle the increasing amount of plastics found in our waters for World Ocean Day this weekend.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation estimate that 14 million tonnes of micro-plastics currently sit on the seafloor and cause complications for marine life.
To counter this pressing issue a Beach Clean and Plastic Waste Workshop will be held along Anzac Peace Park’s foreshore this Sunday, 13th June to remove and analyse any plastic rubbish found along the shore.
Assisting the day will be volunteers from Albany Dive Centre who will collect rubbish from the seafloor and around the jetty, before an educational talk and activities run by UWA’s Dr Harriet Paterson.
Dr Paterson has been studying plastic found on Albany beaches for the past six years, and has quantified seasonal cycles of plastic.
City of Albany Executive Director Community Services Nathan Watson said events like these are important to bring groups together to work towards a common goal and educate the public about the significant impact plastic rubbish has on our ocean environment.
“As a community it is essential that we take pride and ownership of our oceans to ensure we can safeguard them for future generations,” he said.
“Engaging in regular beach cleans and educating the public on what they can do to reduce their own contributions to plastic pollutants will help to ensure Albany’s waters remain pristine.”
Participants are encouraged to bring their unwanted plastic merchandise to engage in a community activity to show the scale of waste and individual impact on single use or zero use plastics.
This event is supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Program, The City of Albany, Waste Authority and Rio Tinto.
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