Marine litter is one of the most threatening, but also the most solvable, pollution issue currently affecting the world's ocean and waterways.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Website proudly presented by...
| Marine debris removed from the Whitsunday islands since July 2009 |
= | 99,485 kilograms |
Welcome to Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc.
Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is a not-for-profit environmental organisation that was established in the Whitsunday Region to protect our precious marine life and aquatic environment by removing existing marine debris and reducing the amount of debris that enters our waterways. We achieve this by providing the opportunity for the community to become proactive in collecting marine debris from our beaches and coastline, while undertaking education and awareness concerning the issue of marine debris and promoting the importance of thoughtful waste disposal.
We currently have three exciting initatives, with many opportunities for volunteers, sponsors and supporters to become involved.
WHITSUNDAY MARINE DEBRIS REMOVAL PROGRAM
The Whitsunday Marine Debris Removal Program is an on-going program focused on removing harmful marine debris from the islands and coastline to protect the iconic Whitsunday Region. In 2012, through the amazing support of sponsors, donations and our Caring for our Country project we were successful in removing 9,524 kilograms of marine debris. We have also had a busy start to 2013 with 30,419 kilograms already removed, which included 23,600 kilograms as part of our rapid response to remove boat wreckage along the Airlie Beach foreshore after ex-tropical Cyclone Oswald and the marine debris collected by the community during Operation Clean Seas.
OPERATION CLEAN SEAS
Eco Barge Clean Seas recently launched Operation Clean Seas, an exciting new program supported by Caring for our Country, which aimed to have ‘Our Community Cleaning Together’, for the purpose of removing large quantities of marine debris from the Whitsunday Region throughout April. Operation Clean Seas was a huge success, with fantastic community support and 4,904 kgs of marine debris and land-based litter removed!!! And congratulations to YVONNE CHALONER for being the lucky winner of two nights accomodation at the Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island, including Cruise Whitsunday transfers.
MACKAY COASTAL CLEAN UP
The Mackay Coastal Clean Up is a program designed to work with local businesses, families and individuals to coordinate the removal of marine debris from the beaches in the Mackay region. The Clean Up event will be held in Mackay and Sarina twice a year over a weekend for three years. The second Clean Up was held on 18 and 19 May and thanks to everyone involved the weekend was another amazing success!
The focus of this Clean Up was the Sarina area, with ten beaches being targeted between Hay Point and Cape Palmerston. On Saturday 103 volunteers assisted us to remove 2,925 kilograms of marine debris and on Sunday another 97 volunteers helped us to remove 1,826 kilograms. The Mackay Coastal Clean Up has now been responsible for removing 7,440 kgs from beaches around Mackay and Sarina.
A huge thank you to the BMA HPX3 project, all our supporters, beach adopters and the Mackay and Sarina community for getting behind this event to make it such a success. We look forward to our next Clean Up that will focus on the northern beaches in Mackay on 26 and 27 October 2013.
OTHER EXCITING UPDATES
Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is excited to announce our new “Say No to Plastic Bags” project, a joint venture in collaboration with Whitsunday Regional Council. The project has been developed to reduce the reliance on plastic bags in the Whitsunday region and to promote the use of biodegradable and re-useable alternatives. Through the “Say No to Plastic Bags” project, participating stores will make a donation to the Whitsunday Marine Debris Removal Program for every plastic bag refused by a customer.
The following retail stores have signed on to participate:
o Just Souvenirs, Airlie Beach
o Marina Cellars (Airlie Beach Hotel), Abel Point Marina
o Rip Curl, Airlie Beach
o Thirsty Camel (Airlie Beach Hotel), Airlie Beach, Centro
and Cannonvale Markets
o Top Shop (Adelyn Retail), Airlie Beach
o Trading Post (Adelyn Retail), Airlie Beach
o Whitsunday Beachworx (Adelyn Retail), Airlie Beach and
Centro
**********************************************
Eco Barge Clean Seas is a registered environmental organisation with Deductable Gift Receipt Status, meaning that any donations over $2 are fully tax deductable.
Whitsunday Marine Debris Collection 2013
