Riding the wave of public interest in reducing rubbish on our coast and in our waterways is Tangaroa Blue Foundation. It is hoping to focus increasing public interest in protecting our waterways and motivate community groups to take action.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Heidi Taylor is its managing director and she is working to rally community participation in a campaign to track marine debris and litter. Every person with a mobile phone who visits our beaches and waterways is her target and she is hoping to create a community of citizen scientists that will use the new Australian Marine Debris Initiative (ADMI) app that is available for Apple and Android devices.
You may also be interested in:
The concept is simple and could see a reduction of rubbish in our oceans and waterways. The app enables real-time monitoring of rubbish pollution and the data collection enables the tracking of marine debris and litter items back to the source, so that source reduction plans can be implemented to stop the flow of rubbish into our oceans.
“The app allows people to automatically record GPS data, add photos and even scan the barcode on rubbish so we can track it back to its source,” Ms Taylor said.
“The AMDI database helps identify the types and amounts of marine debris impacting specific sites.
“The information can assist in accessing grant funding and inform international policy making.”
Heidi recently met with representatives from Friends of Browns Creek – Crooked Creek, Hunter Local Land Services, MidCoast Council and TIDE Employment to promote the ADMI app and encourage its use in the region.
The Tangaroa Blue app is free to download on Apple and Android devices.