Manly Beach Clean-Up shows continued need for action to protect local marine species.
Sea Turtle Foundation was proud to support the recent Pure Planet Manly Beach Clean-Up where volunteers came together to make a real difference for our ocean and the wildlife that depend on it. Held across Manly Cove and East Esplanade in Manly, NSW, the event focused on an area chosen for its proximity to a nearby aquatic reserve called Cabbage Tree Bay, a vital safe haven for a variety of marine species, including sea turtles, cuttlefish, sharks, and many others.
With a fantastic turnout of 20 dedicated volunteers, the clean-up saw an impressive 12.3kg of rubbish collected and that total doesn’t even include a discarded shopping trolley that couldn’t be weighed! Among the most shocking findings was the sheer volume of cigarette butts scattered across the shoreline. Volunteers collected over 1,000 cigarettes with one participant counting 700 on their own.
Despite the remarkable effort, volunteers noted the alarming amount of debris that remained visible even after the clean-up concluded. This was particularly concerning given that multiple marine clean-ups had already taken place along the same stretch in the past two weeks, including just days before. The persistence of such high quantities of litter highlights the ongoing challenges facing this precious ecosystem.
Events like this serve as a powerful reminder of both the impact of community action and the urgent need for continued care of our coastal environments. A huge thank you to everyone who joined the effort. Your commitment helps protect the incredible marine life that calls Cabbage Tree Bay home.