“In each of those NRM regions, we're going to engage local communities, local government, and local industry groups in a whole suite of activities.

“We’re trying to be really holistic across the GBR in both removal, prevention, education awareness and community engagement,” Taylor said.

Marine debris is a major environmental concern worldwide with eight to twelve million tonnes of litter entering the ocean every year.

With the world’s population increasing and our throwaway culture continuing, Taylor said the issue will only get worse.

“In some areas, which are remote, we're removing up to a tonne per kilometre of debris.

“In other areas we’re finding an increasing load of microplastics, the smaller plastics that are being degraded and broken up into smaller pieces,” she said.

Tangaroa Blue’s mission is not only to clean up litter but, in an effort to solve the problem, the initiative gathers data from the rubbish collected to create solutions to Australia’s litter problem. 

“If all you do is clean up that's all you ever do,” said Taylor.

“So we need to be investing just as much in how do we start stopping this stuff at the source so it doesn't keep getting released into the environment all the time.”

Tangaroa Blue will also use the money for an array of community clean up and education events as well as have money set aside for disaster management.

This will allow them to better clean up after events, such as cyclones, which can see up to three times the debris load washing up onto the coastline.

Taylor urges anyone interested to get on board as there are an array of opportunities for the broader community to get involved.

For more information visit: www.tangaroablue.org