Return Media Release

Media Alert

Marine Debris Cleanup team returns to Hobart with a record haul

Saturday, 12^th April 2014

What: Marine Debris Cleanup boats return to Hobart

When: 12:30pm today, Saturday 12^th April

Where: Victoria Dock, Hobart

The great Tasmanian South West Marine Debris Cleanup team will return to Hobart today, carrying a record haul of 48340 pieces of rubbish from the remote beaches of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.  

“We’ve spent the last seven days cleaning a massive wave of trash from some of our most spectacular wild beaches. This year’s cleanup expedition has been bigger than ever, collecting over 13,000 more pieces of rubbish than last year’s record count of 35,408” said cleanup coordinator Matt Dell.

The 22 cleanup volunteers experienced the best weather in years, enabling the crew to fully clean the often inaccessible Towterer Beach for the time in 15 years. Over two days the crew removed around 27,330 pieces of rubbish from this beach alone.

“The annual cleanup is a key part of the global effort to tackle marine debris, which chokes our oceans and critically impacts marine life” said Dell.

Two of the three cleanup boats – the Velocity and the Diamontina III – will be arriving at Victoria Dock this afternoon to unload the massive haul of rubbish.

For more information, contact Matt Dell on 0419 922 887

High resolution images available