Marine Debris Article - Examiner

Thanks to Matt Maloney for the two articles above which were featured in the Sunday Examiner. Click on the images to view at full size.

Patagonia Promo Video Released

South West Marine Debris Cleanup - Tasmania from Johnny Abegg Films on Vimeo.

Today Johnny Abegg, Patagonias representative on the 2011 cleanup released his web piece for the world too see. Johnny although a little seasick and tired to start with was an integral part of the team for cleanup 2011, helping on the beach during the day, filming and helping with the count of an evening. Our promise of epic waves didnt eventuate but as his movies and photos will attest the trip was well worthwhile. Checkout Johnny's Blogsite and movies on Vimeo. Cheers Johnny you are welcome back on the cleanup anytime.

Return Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE – 2nd May 2011

The 2011 South West Coast Marine Debris Cleanup saw 23 volunteers embark to the West Coast of Tasmania on four commercial fishing vessels, the biggest contingent in the cleanup's history.

In total 18,357 items were collected off six beaches totalling around 3.5 tonnes. In material terms 93% of the rubbish was plastic comprised mainly of rope, bottles and miscellaneous plastic pieces and 4.5% was metal mainly as aluminium cans. Small pieces of plastic, caps and lids continue to be found in increased numbers and these along with small pieces of rope and bait box straps accounted for over 70% of the rubbish items collected.

The team recovered a staggering 11,317 items in just five hours off 1.5 kilometre length of coast, the vast majority off a 200m long stretch of beach. This is by far the largest haul of items from any one area of the coast and it was only after a tip off from one of the volunteer Crayboat skippers that we uncovered this wilderness tip-face.

This year we finally recovered 'temples de rope' - three huge rope balls between 200-400 kg each that we had observed over the last few years. Aptly named by the crew as all we could do was look at them in awe due to their size. This trip, the balls were finally moved as we had access to more people power and a boat with a Hiab to lift them from the water.

The more unusual items found on the shore this year included a Fridge, a Boogie Board, a cold full can of beer and an assortment of toys including a still inflated party balloon. Once again there was rubbish from all corners of the globe including numerous Japanese, Chinese and Korean oil and food containers, fishing buoys and trawl nets.

A selection of the rubbish haul has been put aside and will be on display at Salamanca Market of the 7th of May 2011.

A massive thankyou to all the sponsors and volunteers as without your generous donations of time effort and money we could not continue this work.

The cleanup has now been running for over ten years and we are looking forward to another successful cleanup in 2012.

Back Home

The crew awoke on the last day of the trip under leaden skies but at least we didn't have to pick up anymore of someone else's rubbish. The Velocity and Odalisque rafted up and transferred all the Marine Debris onto the Odalisque for a quick trip up to Prince of Wales Bay in Hobart were the rubbish was to be unloaded. The Velocity headed for a quick last surf with Johnny before he headed back to warmer climes while the Miss Carmen docked in Dover to unload its crew before heading back to sea to continue fishing. The Chieftain G dropped its crew on the Odalisque and headed for a few days cruising the Channel.

In Hobart Alderman Bill Harvey turned up to check out our haul and collected a representative sample which we hope to display in the coming weeks. The total items collected on the trip was 18357 items, the biggest haul yet. It is a testament to hard work of the volunteer crew and skill of the fishermen who enabled us to access the beaches in difficult conditions. A detailed description of the items collected will be posted soon.

Wednesday 20th

The day dawned at Louisa Bay. A couple of veterans got up to check the sky. Someone said we should get to Surprise Bay. After a couple of hot egg and bacon muffins the skipper shouted "anchor man, get up and do your job". So we weighed anchor towards South Cape. Surprise Bay unfortunatley held no surprises. The surf was not on. So we steamed around the South Cape towards the Rivulet. We anchored in the middle of the bay. A few of us thought we would jump in the icy water for a wash and surf. The surf was still not on, the rip was horrendous and the waves were 3-4 foot puss. A couple of the stalwarts stayed on the boat admiring the scenery. Dave 'the wave' Wyatt, came back in a flash and said "let's get on the road" Recherche Bay needs us. We steamed past Lion Rock, but the lion was roaring far too big and angry, so we steamed around South East Cape and into Recherche Bay. Three shore parties went into clean Lookout Point, with minimal marine debris found. So we started on the sip, and then a barbie started to roar, and the girls strapped up some delicious tucker, while Steve seared the sirlions. The night presses on, the boys are playing instruments on the Velocity, farewelling the evening and celebrating the last night of the cleanup.

Tuesday Blog

Tuesday 19th

Morning refreshingly quiet after Monday's rain with a cool wind and an overcast sky but weather mild and fine. Our next destination was decided, Louisa Bay. Shy albatross, crested terns and fairy prion's kept Odalisque company on the water. The southern ranges to the north – Cox's Bluff and Red Pt dominant – and the sun striking Maatsuyker Island made this short passage visually stunning. The cleanup crews were dispatched starting with west Louisa Bay beach – usual rope, cans, plastic debris were found. Unusual items included a 20 ltr drum of used engine oil and a complete wet suit without a diver! Louisa Bay was quite clean after New Harbour with its 600 beer cans. Hunters and gatherers returned with abalone, crayfish and sea urchin. We had happy hour's on all boats with the main meal - to be Asian based - on the good ship Odalisque . No doubt reviews of today and plans for tomorrow will be discussed.

Monday's Blog

The crew awoke to a red and grey haze at Port Davey. A brooding North-West wind was felt. The crew was anxious with thoughts of crossing SW Cape to the southern shore of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Velocity left early in its sojourn across the gauntlet of SW Cape. Three to four meters of rising swell was in its wake, with an extra two meters of windy seas on top of a daunting ocean. The salty sea-dogs were hardened to such escapades but the 12 land-cats were not. The Velocity made its way towards Waterfall Bay where a boatfull of surfers dived into icy cold water for a two hour session of surfing - an absolute treat. Quite different for the Miss Carmen, towing a 1-tonne cray dinghy, whose journey around around the Cape was one of sideways scare tactics. Thoughts of calmer waters were on the crew's mind. The four boats eventually arrived. The cleanup was one of beercans, over 600 of them. A blisterly NW wind made life chilly with sand in eyes a constant hindrance. As we digest a lovely roast and vegies sipping Gillespies Giner Beer...we think of what's coming next.