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.