The council has invited people who collect rubbish at the beach to add the items to the national Tangaroa Blue marine debris database.

The database is used by governments and scientists to address the types of debris being found on beaches.   

Council spokeswoman Emma Pegrum said it was easy for people to add information to the database by visiting www.tangaroablue.org and following the links.

“You might also like to join the Eurobodalla Marine Debris Working Group,” Ms Pegrum said.

“In the past four months the group has picked up more than 6000 pieces of marine debris from our beaches and either recycled or placed them in the council’s red- lidded bins. 

“The group has also logged them in the Tangaroa Blue database.

“Remember, the most effective way to reduce the harmful effects of marine debris is to prevent it from entering the marine environment in the first place. 

“Litter on the street or roadsides will find its way into the rivers and ocean where it can damage marine life and sea birds.”

As at October 15, a total of 5613 pieces of marine debris were logged on the Tangaroa Blue website from the 2537 and 2536 postcodes.

Projects carried out in the past four months have included cleaning up plastics from local beaches, fishing out shopping trolleys from the Clyde River and picking up cigarette butts from the street.

Shelly Beach was cleaned up by working group members with the help of Moruya Public School students, while Moruya High School students helped out at Congo and Bengello beaches.

Marine Debris artwork also has been accepted into the Revive art exhibition which opens tomorrow, November 6.

The next clean-up will be in the Moruya IGA car park on Tuesday, December 9, at 1pm. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves and wear sun-smart clothes.