29 Volunteers Remove Record 738kg of Marine Debris from Discovery Bay
In a remarkable show of community spirit and environmental dedication, 29 volunteers from Beach Patrol 3280-3284 collected an incredible 738 kg of rubbish from Discovery Bay in just under 2.5 hours. This achievement marks the largest amount of debris ever removed in a single clean-up event by the group.
Supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Coles Coaches, and Aurora Surf, the event saw participants travel from Warrnambool, Koroit, and Port Fairy, while locals from Portland and Cape Bridgewater joined in the effort to tackle the overwhelming pollution at this remote beach.
Discovery Bay: A Coastal Treasure in Need of Protection
Discovery Bay, situated west of Portland, stretches for 50 km towards the South Australian border. This iconic location is not just known for its breathtaking landscapes but also forms part of the famous Great Southwest Walk and holds a RAMSAR listing due to its importance as a habitat for migratory birds like the Sanderling, which travels from Siberia every summer.
The area also borders the Discovery Bay Marine National Park, a vital sanctuary for a range of marine life, including penguins, Australian Fur Seals, the nearby Gannet colony, and even Southern Right and Blue Whales. Unfortunately, this precious environment is under threat from the relentless tide of marine debris washing in from the open ocean.
A Battle Against Ocean Waste
Earlier this year, Beach Patrol leader Colleen Hughson conducted a survey along the length of Discovery Bay, estimating that over eight tonnes of rubbish sits on the shore, slowly disintegrating into harmful microplastics. The clean-up crew’s work was a crucial step in stemming the tide of this plastic pollution, but the scale of the task left volunteers feeling both resolute and daunted by what still remains.
Volunteers encountered a distressing mix of plastic waste, including foreign-labelled drink bottles, detergent containers, and industrial fishing gear like pot necks, bait baskets, and plastic cane, much of which likely originates from South Australia’s Rock Lobster Fishing Industry. It’s evident that this pollution isn’t the result of careless beach-goers but is instead dumped by merchant ships seeking to avoid waste disposal fees at Australian Ports—a crisis that demands attention and accountability.
The Call for Change
Despite their incredible effort, volunteers noted the seemingly insurmountable scale of the problem, with layers of plastic entangled in seaweed and scattered across the tideline, from large nets to microplastics and nurdles. Without ongoing clean-up efforts, this waste will continue to break apart, posing an even greater threat to marine life and the broader ecosystem.
“Every piece of rubbish we remove makes a difference,” said one volunteer. “But the solution needs to go beyond what volunteers can achieve. We need urgent government action and support to address this crisis at its source.”
Gratitude for Community Support
Beach Patrol 3280-3284 extends heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to make this clean-up possible. Their efforts show that a cleaner ocean benefits everyone, but the scale of this challenge requires a concerted effort from both the community and decision-makers.
Join Us in the Fight for Our Oceans
Beach Patrol 3280-3284 urges the government and international bodies to take meaningful steps in regulating ocean waste and enforcing stricter penalties on ships that dump their waste at sea. We can no longer afford to ignore this crisis, and it’s time to protect our coastlines and marine life for future generations.
For more information or to get involved in future clean-ups, please contact Beach Patrol 3280-3284.
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!
www.nativeshop.com.au
Advertisement
