Region's largest ever beach clean up on horizon

An army of volunteers is being recruited for what is tipped to be the region’s biggest beach clean-up.

From October 11-14, volunteers across the Capes will join Tangaroa Blue Foundation and Nature Conservation Margaret River Region to clean-up the coastline. It’s part of Tangaroa’s state-wide beach clean-up day and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the event.

“Every year, community groups, organisations, supporters, schools, and individuals come together at the WA Beach Clean-up, which is celebrating its this year. In this special year, we want to make the clean-up the biggest and best yet,” Tangaroa Blue’s senior project coordinator Casey Woodward said.

Over the last 19 years, the WA Beach clean-up has helped remove 45 tonnes of marine debris from our precious coastline. That’s more than the average weight of an adult humpback whale.

Not only do they clean-up marine debris, but the finds are also recorded on the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database.

“As supporters and beach combers from the very first Beach Clean up 20 years ago in our beautiful south west, we are so stoked to be a part of the 20 year event and celebration,” Margaret River Beer Co’s Ilya Hastings said.

“We are doing a bunch if things that should contribute to the festivities and support the crew that are out there on the day cleaning our beaches.

“To start we have brewed a limited edition beer ‘Ellensbrook Lager’ named after the birthplace of the Beach Clean Up – Ellensbrook Beach.

“We’ll be selling this over our bar during October and for every pint we’ll donate $1 to the AMDI to help to continue to stand up for our oceans and beaches. We’ll also have limited edition cans and cartons to celebrate the great milestone.”

A special ‘Sip N Sort’ celebration event will be held at the Margaret River Brewhouse on Sunday, October 13 from 2.30 – 4.00pm.

“There we can offload (literally) all of the debris collected, have a team get together to make the counting and sorting fun and easy, all whilst sipping on a cold fresh beer,” Ilya said. “It will be a cracking way to end the day.”

Ilya said his team were proud to have supported the Clean Up over two decades.

“Our hats go off to (Tangaroa Blue CEO) Heidi and the team that have made TB and AMDI such a driving force in changing so many things for the better in our marine environment and beaches around Australia and the world.

“Twenty years ago it was a rag tag bunch of good hearted people in the South West wanting to clean up our beaches, understand where and why they had rubbish and debris on them and then think of ways to lessen that.

“Two decades on on it has become one of the world leaders in change, environmental advocacy and community empowerment.

“So to say we are proud to play our little part at Margaret River Beer Co would be an understatement.”

Nature Conservation’s coastal officer Mandy Polley urged surfers, hikers, fishers and anyone who enjoys the coast to help collect rubbish and keep our coast pristine.

“Our beaches are a playground for families, surfers and beach-lovers,” she said.

“We’re urging everyone to register your favourite beach or special location and give just a couple of hours of your time to help keep it clean.

“Get in quick so you can secure your preferred spot, beach or coastal location.”

Registering provides access to clean-up kits and an event promotion toolkit, and will add your clean-up to the interactive map. Register at tangaroablue.org/get-involved/wabcu