Centred around washed up crab nets tied to a debris theme, creator Roslyn Hanlon is helping raise awareness about the negative impact ocean debris has on our marine wildlife.
The amount of debris collected by Roslyn over 2 years on her beach walks, is a powerful reminder for all of us that when we visit our beautiful beaches to Take 3 For the Sea to help rid the oceans of plastic pollution.
Thank you Roslyn for letting us share your exhibit at Origins Market
“After our first winter storm in June 2019 while walking along our beach, it was confronting to watch small Pivor shore birds pecking the Busselton Jetty Swim caps and other soft plastics on the shoreline. Also alarming was the vast array of ocean debris that had washed up. I filled two shopping bags along a 1km stretch. This was the catalyst in making my decision to join Tangaroa Blue as a volunteer – an Australian organisation that coordinates beach clean-ups/activities/education regarding marine debris.
Although our beaches appear to be pristine, we don’t see what lurks beneath the sea with floating debris causing enormous havoc on our marine life. I have removed large pieces of ocean debris including carpet, sandbags, cloth webbing, a heavy haulage sling, tyres etc.
At our local beach we have a resident pod of dolphins/stringrays that swim close to shore and this is a reason to remove any harmful debris that washes up or pick up litter left at the beach. Shorebird numbers are in decline, a contributing factor is the plastics they are ingesting.
So began my project Tide n Tied making displays centred around washed up drop (crab) nets and tying each of the nets to a debris theme. I hope this visual display will raise awareness of this worldwide problem, drawing people’s attention and to become mindful about the negative affect/impact ocean debris has, particularly single use plastics that has added to our ongoing global pollution issues.
When you visit the beach remember the message ‘Take 3 for the Sea’ – three pieces of debris that you can pick up and prevent impacting on our marine/wildlife. It does not take a great deal of effort. We all need to take greater care of our ocean environment.”
Roslyn Hanlon
