Australian Marine Debris Initiave
Created in collaboration with Tangaroa Blue Foundation, this visualization is part of an Educational Kit and it uses the data of all marine debris items collected from 2004 until 2009. This data was classified by material categories, location, coastal type and dispersion category, and inputted into the Australian Marine Debris Database, and accounting more than 1.2 million pieces of debris removed from the Australian coastline since 2004.
The idea behind this visualization is to show the amount and some of the characteristics of the debris collected in the Australian coasts. It is also meant as a support tool to create awareness on marine environmental and conservation issues as well as to invite volunteers, organizations and communities to join forces with the Australian Marine Debris Initiative. For instance, while an estimated 18,000 pieces of plastic float in every square kilometer of ocean, it is only when it washes ashore that most people get an idea of how much rubbish must be actually out in our oceans and the impacts that this has on marine life and seabirds. But most importantly, this is the best opportunity to remove it from the environment before the next tide washes it back out to sea again. In fact, because of the people who have joint this initiative, practical solutions have been found and a considerable reduction of marine debris has been reported.