Connecting community and industry stakeholders to collaborate and conduct the first extensive marine debris clean-up at Macquarie Harbour, Strahan

Ms Anna Wind1

1Cradle Coast NRM, Burnie, Australia, 2Cradle Coast Authority, Burnie, Australia, 3Macquarie Harbour Shoreline Clean-up Steering Committee, Strahan, Australia

Abstract

THE Macquarie Harbour Shoreline Clean-up was a huge logistical exercise, coordinated by the Steering Committee over five days in April, 2017.

A shoreline clean-up of unparalleled proportions has been completed at Macquarie Harbour and Ocean Beach. More than 80 volunteers and staff covered 80kms of shoreline, removed more than 55.5 cubic metres (6 tonnes) of marine debris from more than 270 hectares of shores.

Project partners that collaborated in the Macquarie Harbour Shoreline Clean-up were Cradle Coast NRM, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Wildcare volunteers, Parks and Wildlife Service, Tassal, Petuna Seafoods, Huon Aquaculture, West Coast Yacht Charters, West Coast Council, Active Strahan, RACT Strahan Village, Gordon River Cruises, Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, Strahan Primary School Parents and Friends and the community.

With marine debris collected by boats and land crews, the clean-up has protected marine life from entanglement and ingestion of plastics including 15 shoreline locations in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan township, King River delta, Sarah Island and Ocean Beach. It has contributed towards protecting the natural values of the Tasmania’s World Heritage Area and EPBC listed bird species that feed and breed in the harbour and Ocean Beach. The project has not only protected unique flora and fauna species but also removed unsightly marine debris to improve the tourist experience and maintain Tasmania’s clean and green image.

The Steering Committee developed future actions that organisations can take to reduce marine debris entering Macquarie Harbour and Strahan waterways and these actions are being implemented.

Biography

Anna Wind has been working in the field of natural resource management in North West Tasmania for over 20 years with a focus on the coastal and marine environment.

Starting out as a volunteer for the Save Our Coast community group, then working as a Coastcare facilitator for 9 years and continuing to work on environmental projects with a natural resource management body, Cradle Coast NRM.

As Coastal Coordinator for Cradle Coast NRM, she manages coastal and community programs and works closely with community groups, land managers and industry to manage grants and develop projects that protect and improve the Cradle Coast regions natural resources.

Anna’s passion is protecting coastal and waterway environments and empowering stakeholders to address local issues by finding solutions to make a positive environmental, social and economic difference.