Volunteers pitch in to clean up Dampier coastline

A record number of volunteers turned out to keep the beautiful Dampier coastline free of rubbish and debris on Sunday morning.

The founders of Pilbara Dive and Tours, Cracker Jack Paddle Sports and Plastic Free Pilbara came together to lead a group of community members on an above and below-water clean-up of the Dampier foreshore and Sam’s Island, which saw participants collect 140kg of rubbish.

More than 120 volunteers pitched in for the clean-up — more than double the number at previous events.

Pilbara Dive and Tours owner Natalie Callanan said the Dampier coastline was home to pristine coral structures and marine life which needed to be protected.

“From a diving point-of-view, on almost every (clean-up) dive we’re finding fishing line and tackle that we clean up as we go, and we’ve seen cans, bottles and bait bags — all things that have gone over the side of a boat,” she said.

“Every piece of rubbish is a risk to animals and marine life, so everything we can pick up helps.”

“We’re just trying to get as much as we can out of the environment.”

The event was the third annual clean-up to be coordinated by Pilbara Dive and Tours, with similar clean-ups previously held at Cleaverville and Withnell Bay.

Dampier business Discovery Cruising ferried participants to Sam’s Island throughout the morning, and a barbecue was held afterwards to thank volunteers.

Money raised by the clean-up through the City of Karratha’s bucks for bags program will be donated to the Pilbara Wildlife Carers.