Nurdles are grains of unmanufactured plastic. These have been found washed up on the beach. Photo: supplied.
HOPETOUN CRC
As winter swells and high tides caress our coastline, they also bring an awful amount of nurdles and other plastic debris.
Our beautiful beaches, otherwise pristine, are being littered with these tiny nurdles — small plastic pellets that are the raw material for all new plastic products — along with fragments of other discarded plastic materials are washing up in ever increasing numbers.
They don’t belong here, yet they persist, carried by ocean currents from distant shores and industrial shipping and fishing.
But while this pollution is troubling, winter also presents a unique opportunity.
Beach goers and combers alike can make a difference by venturing out and collecting what the tides deliver.
A simple walk along the shoreline can turn into a helpful act and a chance to protect marine life from the dangers of plastic pollution.
For those inclined toward creativity, there’s an added incentive: Hopetoun CRC’s upcoming Ocean Art Exhibition includes a special marine debris category.
Artists are invited to transform their beach finds into creative artworks that showcase both the problem and the potential for change.
Whether it’s a mosaic of washed-up fragments or a sculpture crafted from discarded fishing gear, these pieces tell a story – and could win you a $500 cash prize.
The Ocean Art Exhibition is part of Hopetoun Marine Science Week happening in August this year.
So this winter, don’t just notice the debris — please do something about it.
Grab a bucket, gather the plastics, and consider how they might be repurposed. Sieve kits are available for loan from Hopetoun CRC which are helpful for collecting nurdles and other microplastics.
The email address for more information is crc@hopetounwa.com .
