Northern Australia is in its "rubbish season," with winds bringing plastic and discarded fishing nets ashore. Indigenous rangers find beaches littered with waste, including entangled turtles, and need ongoing support to combat the increasing pollution. Scientists estimate millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, with fishing gear a major contributor.
Rangers like Clive Nunggarrgalu describe the devastating impact of ghost nets, which trap marine life. The Ghost Net Initiative has aided cleanup efforts, but funding is uncertain. Drones and AI are now used to locate nets, even those hidden.
The federal Environment Minister supports a global treaty to end plastic pollution and regional partnerships. The Australian government has joined the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, but the future of funding for local cleanup efforts is unclear.
5 Comments
Africa
It's heartbreaking to see wildlife suffering due to plastic. We need to support Indigenous rangers like Clive!
Bermudez
The Ghost Net Initiative is doing vital work. We should all rally behind them and the Indigenous rangers!
Mariposa
Plastic pollution affects everyone, and this focus on Northern Australia highlights an urgent global issue!
Muchacha
How can we trust this initiative when funding is uncertain? It feels like a waste of time.
Comandante
The cleanup efforts need substantial funding. It’s crucial for our oceans and the creatures living in them.