EIGHTY per cent of debris washed up on Eurobodalla beaches is rubbish dropped on shire streets.
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While Marine Debris Working Group volunteers regularly clear beaches of debris, residents can prevent rubbish washing up in the first place by disposing of it securely.
According to the CSIRO, the volume of rubbish released into marine systems by humans is growing exponentially.
A CSIRO survey of the Australian coast found the density of plastic ranged from a few thousand pieces per square-kilometre to more than 40,000.
Globally, about one-third of all marine turtles and nearly half of all seabird species are likely to have ingested debris.
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s environmental education officer Bernadette Davis said the big message was to stop debris washing into waterways in the first place.
“In the Eurobodalla we have a 110km strip of coast with lots of estuaries and towns on those estuaries and that’s where 80 per cent of our marine debris comes from – from us,” she said.
“We often pick it up (off beaches) and blame someone else, but potentially that could have been something you’ve dropped, or a lollipop stick your child has thrown away, because of the way the currents work.”
Ms Davis said people were less likely to pick up litter in car parks or off the street; they instead waited for it to be washed onto beaches, with much of it potentially swallowed by marine creatures.
The Marine Debris Working Group, comprising divers, fishers, surfers, schools, conservation groups and scientists from the Eurobodalla and ACT, is looking for new members to help organise community clean-ups.
It also wants residents who do pick up debris to learn how to record it on the Tang-aroa Blue Foundation Australian Marine Debris Initiative database.
Ms Davis said listing finds on the database gave a better picture of what was found and where.
The national database was used by government and the CSIRO.
“It raises awareness and it’s such a positive thing to do,” Ms Davis said.
“It gives you a real sense of satisfaction when you can sort it all out and work out where it all comes from.”
She said it was a great activity for children on beachcombing treasure hunts.