TAKE 3 For The Sea has come to the Port Stephens region.
On Saturday 21 February, the environmental initiative joined Port Stephens Council and NSW National Parks in hosting a clean-up day at Birubi Beach.
It started with Take 3 volunteer Leela Siva giving a presentation detailing the effects of plastic pollution on Australian beaches.
Volunteers then headed to the beach, armed with a steel bucket, a pair of tongs and safety gloves.
Each participant was also given a data sheet to record the types and amount of rubbish.
According to figures provided to News Of The Area, 4,474 individual pieces of litter were collected.
The most common variety of rubbish was plastic, with over 1,277 individual pieces picked up.
According to the Australian Government, it is estimated that by 2050, 99 percent of sea birds will have ingested plastic and the amount of plastic in our oceans will outweigh fish.
“It is clear every piece of plastic in the environment poses a risk to wildlife and the health and safety of all of us,” Take 3 co-founder Tim Silverwood told News Of The Area.
“So, every time we get out or remove plastic it is a wonderful outcome.”
A spokesperson for Port Stephens Council highlighted the benefits of the event.
“By collaborating, we are highlighting the shared responsibility of protecting wildlife and ecosystems from the impacts of plastic pollution,” they said.
“The partnership [also] enables the National Parks team to provide the community with information on the cultural and environmental significance of these sensitive coastal areas.”
By Joseph RICHARDS
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
