What’s happening?
Volunteers gathered at Pallarenda Beach today for the launch of the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up 2025. Rolling up their sleeves, participants removed thousands of pieces of marine debris threatening the Reef’s ecosystems.
The event marks the beginning of a month-long series of clean-ups, coordinated by Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s ReefClean program in collaboration with Clean Up Australia and funded by the Australian Government. More than 80 clean-ups will take place across Queensland throughout October.
Why it matters
Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the Albanese Government is committed to protecting and restoring the Reef for future generations.
“Reducing the amount of rubbish entering the Reef is one of the most valuable, tangible actions we can take to protect it, and everyone can play their part,” Minister Watt said.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation CEO Heidi Tait added, “Marine debris is one of the fastest growing threats to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up empowers communities to take action to remove rubbish before the wet season washes it from catchments to the Reef. All while building the evidence we need to stop marine debris from reaching our waterways in the first place.”
Local impact
At the Townsville launch, 28 kilograms of debris were collected from Pallarenda Beach. Among the rubbish was a large sheet of artificial grass, a bin lid, and many drink bottle tops and cigarette butts.
Josh Thomas, CEO of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Jenny Geddes, CEO of Clean Up Australia, and Heidi Tait, CEO and Founder of Tangaroa Blue Foundation, joined the cleanup.
Jenny Geddes said, “I encourage everyone in the region to get involved and register to join a local Clean Up. This will help to keep waterways free from litter and debris and, in turn, protect the precious Reef.”
By the numbers
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More than 80 clean-ups will run across Queensland in October.
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28 kilograms of debris were collected at Pallarenda Beach during the launch.
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Last year’s event removed 97,000 pieces of debris.
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Since its inception, the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up has cleared hundreds of thousands of items.
Zoom in
Communities, schools, and organisations will not only collect debris but also record what they find. This information feeds into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, turning local action into vital data to combat pollution at its source.
Zoom out
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up is a flagship initiative of the ReefClean program, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and delivered by Tangaroa Blue Foundation and partners. Clean Up Australia, founded by Ian Kiernan AO in 1990, also supports the effort. Both organisations focus on mobilising communities to conserve the environment, eliminate litter, and prevent waste from entering natural ecosystems.
What to look for next
Throughout October, communities across Queensland will continue clean-ups, adding data and momentum to protect the Great Barrier Reef from marine debris.
