Getting tangled-up in marine debris is not something we would usually enjoy seeing, but this was exactly the case for kids at the Drug Aware Spray the Grey Youth Festival in Jurien Bay last week.
For the second year running, the NACC team joined forces with DBCA’s Jurien Bay Marine Parks crew and organised for a local artist to deliver an art workshop using marine debris during the festival. More than 100 kids and parents got involved in making art from rope, floats, cray pots, and assorted plastic.
This years theme was “Tangled” which shone a spotlight on just how much rope of all sizes and lengths is washing-up on local beaches. Marine debris collected in the Jurien Bay Marine Park, including some removed from an entangled Humpack whale, gave participants plenty to work, while also greater understanding of the impact that it has on our environment. Kids and parents couldn’t resist the urge to be creative and put together some amazing pieces of art.
Leeman artist and avid beach clean-up legend Lorraine Malone was on hand to share her skills in turning trash into treasure with her hugely popular weaving frame.
NACC Coastal and Marine Project Manager Hamish Longbottom said he was really happy to see that this year’s workshop was even more popular than last year.
“Once the kids got over their initial shock of how much rope and other marine debris is being found on our beaches, they were able to switch into artist mode and all were able to create something out of the waste,” he said.
More from today #TangledJurienBay at #JurienBay foreshore for #SpraytheGrey #YouthFestival #marinedebris #art workshop @NACC_NRM with @WAParksWildlife #ShireofDandaragan pic.twitter.com/K4CaO4nme6
— Hamish Longbottom (@HDLongbottom) April 18, 2018
Hamish said he would like to thank the Shire of Dandaragan for supporting the workshop again, and the staff from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Parks and Wildlife Service for collaborating with NACC, including by providing a lot of the material.
For more information on marine debris and how you can get involved, go to https://www.nacc.com.au/project/beach-clean-up-days/
NACC’s involvement in community events is made possible through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
