Community effort to protect the stunning Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Issued
18 November 2025
Region

Over 470kg of marine debris was removed from Curtis Island in a community effort to protect the stunning Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the wildlife that calls it home.

Over the October long weekend, Curtis Island became the focus of an inspiring environmental effort as the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Capricorn Coast Rangers, and a dedicated group of volunteers joined forces for ReefClean.

Under sunny skies and with the tide rolling out, this incredible team worked tirelessly to remove 471 kilograms of marine debris from the island’s pristine coastline. That’s the equivalent of 77 bags of rubbish cleared from this stunning part of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

A group of volunteers, Rangers and members of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation congregated under a blue gazebo labelled Tangaroa Blue Foundation. The people are surrounded by large bags of collected rubbish and have a Reef Clean banner hanging up to their left, attached to a picnic shelter.Open larger image

The Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Capricorn Coast Rangers, and a dedicated group of volunteers joined forces for ReefClean.

Among the items collected were lighters, plastic pegs, glow sticks, a hard hat, glass bottles, and cigarette butts. Every piece of rubbish removed contributes to cleaner waters for marine life, a healthier reef, and reduced risks of entanglement and plastic ingestion for whales, marine turtles, seabirds, and fish.

The debris collected during the clean-up was meticulously recorded and added to the Australian Marine Debris Database. This database is a vital tool for tracking and understanding the sources of marine debris, helping to inform strategies to reduce waste in our oceans.

Here's what we tracked:

  • Hard plastic remnants: 3,750
  • Rope and net scraps: 40 plus 3 >1m)
  • Plastic bleach containers: 180
  • Synthetic rope: 62
  • Plastic drink bottle lids: 1,500
  • Rope and net scraps: 105 plus 4 >1m)
  • Plastic drink bottles: 544
  • Foam insulation: 65
Rubbish collected during the clean-up.Open larger image

This clean-up effort is a powerful reminder that every small action adds up.

This clean-up effort is a powerful reminder that every small action adds up. Simple daily steps like carrying out all rubbish and disposing of it thoughtfully can really make a difference. Together, we can protect our oceans, keep our beaches beautiful, and ensure a thriving future for marine ecosystems.

Southern Great Barrier Reef Principal Ranger Felicity, who participated in the clean-up, highlighted the importance of these efforts.

'The Tangaroa Blue Foundation beach clean-ups on Curtis Island and other locations in the Great Barrier Reef are an integral part of protecting the values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,' Principal Ranger Felicity said.

Rubbish collected during the clean-up, and people searching the beach for more rubbish.Open larger image

Among the items collected were lighters, plastic pegs, glow sticks, a hard hat, glass bottles, and cigarette butts.

Whether it’s joining a clean-up, reducing single-use plastics, or spreading awareness, everyone can play a role in protecting our oceans. Together, we can make a difference for the Great Barrier Reef, safeguard the incredible marine life that calls it home, and continue working together to protect Queensland’s parks and wildlife.

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