Sharks like to swim in a clean ocean so the footballing Cronulla Sharks and Surfrider Foundation Cronulla are teaming up to bring attention to the state of our marine environment and surrounds.
Sharks Have Heart, the community arm of the Cronulla Sharks, is holding an inaugural “Clean Up, Up Cronulla” family beach cleanup and educational event in the school holidays, which will be held at Dunningham Park North Cronulla on January 12 from 10am to 2pm.
Enjoying Cronulla’s ocean and beaches is an integral part of why people live in the Sutherland Shire, and the Sharks want to do their part to help ensure the beaches are a clean place to people to enjoy.
For the event, Sharks Have Heart, Sutherland Council Lifeguards and the Surfrider Foundation’s Cronulla branch will work on the day with council's waste management dept and the Cronulla Chamber of Commerce.
The Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the ocean, waves, and beaches, said “Clean Up, Up Cronulla” will help raise awareness about ocean health and plastic pollution including microplastics in the sand, and provide information on how individuals act in ways that will help protect the shire’s beaches.
“Solutions can come faster when you can actually see the problem and all data collected on the day will be sent to AUSMAP – which is an ambitious coalition of school students, environment groups, universities and educators who gather critical new data about microplastic in our waterways,” a Surfrider Foundation spokesman said.
“Using the data collected by the network of citizen scientists and researchers, AUSMAP is creating vivid maps of microplastic pollution hotspots around Australia.”
The work being done by AUSMAP will enable communities and government to implement behaviour change, regulate industry, and develop better waste management systems.
Tony Wales the Georges River Council, Riverkeeper will show how they test for these microplastics and water quality.
“Even when the water and sand looks clean you can always find pollution and microplastics,” Mr Wales said.
Participants who pick up two or more pieces of litter from North Cronulla beach will be rewarded with interactions and autographs with Sharks players and Mascot, inflatable fun zone, face painting, and the opportunity to win great prizes in a raffle.
Prizes will include an autographed Sharks jersey, gift certificates from Quicksilver Cronulla, and other great items-everyone is welcome to come down to Dunningham Park and learn how to keep Cronulla’s beaches and the ocean clean.
