--- title: How did Tangaroa Blue Foundation start? description: How did Tangaroa Blue Foundation start? --- [Skip to content](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/how-did-tangaroa-blue-foundation-start#main-content) ![TBF AMDI Logo Pair white](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair%20white.png?width=400&height=160&name=TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair%20white.png) - [Events](https://www.tangaroablue.org/events) - [Volunteer](https://tangaroablue.org/volunteer/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Events](https://www.tangaroablue.org/events) - [Volunteer](https://tangaroablue.org/volunteer/) - [Contact us](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) [Contact us](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Marine Debris Knowledge Base](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-au) 2. [About Tangaroa Blue](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au) 3. [Who We Are](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#who-we-are) 15 December 2025 # How did Tangaroa Blue Foundation start? In 2004, a small group of concerned individuals came together to clean beaches between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste in Western Australia.   As marine debris continued to flow onto the coastline, the project expanded from the removal of the marine debris to also include documenting what was being collected. This data could then be used to trace items back to their source and help initiate action to prevent marine debris from entering waterways in the first place. This was the start of Tangaroa Blue Foundation.   The program soon gained momentum, and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) was launched, attracting network members across the country. The AMDI Database now provides a nationwide framework to address marine debris. As of 2025, the AMDI Database now holds over 29 million items and is contributed to by more than 3,200 partners. - [About Tangaroa Blue](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Who We Are](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#who-we-are) - [What We Do](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#what-we-do) - [Guidelines and Resources](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#guidelines-and-resources) - [The Issue - Marine Debris](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#the-issue-marine-debris) - [Volunteering & Clean-ups](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Volunteering](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#volunteering) - [Events](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#events) - [Schools, Community and Corporate Events](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#schools-community-and-corporate-events) - [The WA Beach Clean-up](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#the-wa-beach-clean-up) - [The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#the-great-barrier-reef-clean-up) - [Clean-up Tips & Safety Information](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#clean-up-tips-safety-information) - [Data and Monitoring (AMDI)](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [About AMDI](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#about-amdi) - [Methodology](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#methodology) - [Requesting Data](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#requesting-data) - [Troubleshooting](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#troubleshooting) - [Programs & Initiatives](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Rig Recycle](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#rig-recycle) - [Project ReCon](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#project-recon) - [ReefClean](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#reefclean) - [FAD Watch](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#fad-watch) - [Operation Clean Sweep](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#operation-clean-sweep) - [IOT Esky Library Initiative](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#iot-esky-library-initiative) - [Donations, Shop & Support](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Donate](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#donate) - [Sea Store](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#sea-store) - [Source Reduction Plans](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/source-reduction-plans?hsLang=en-au) [![TBF AMDI Logo Pair](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair.png?width=500&height=200&name=TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair.png "TBF AMDI Logo Pair")](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/?hsLang=en-au) [mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) Copyright © 2025, Tangaroa Blue Foundation