Litter
KEY FINDINGS FROM OUR 2025 REPORT CARD
Litter grades across the Dry Tropics reporting region are defined by ‘pressure’ levels: how much pressure the local environment may be under from the amount of litter present.
The data used to calculate the litter grades comes from Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database and is collected by volunteers and partners through the ReefClean program, funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.
In the 2025 Report Card, litter was collected at 14 sites.
The beach at Alma Bay on Magnetic Island had the highest litter pressure in the region, recording a 'high' pressure. Previous to this year’s Report Card, the Alma Bay beach had consistently recorded ‘low’ pressure (each year since the 2022 Report Card).
The litter pressure on the east coast of Orpheus Island, which has previously recorded ‘high’ to ‘very high’ pressure, appears to be decreasing with results this year showing litter pressure is ‘moderate’ to ‘high.’ This may be due to local factors but also shifts in dedicated clean-ups. The two locations where litter was collected this year, were different than those previously cleaned, which may also have contributed to the drop in litter pressure. Variables, such as storms, wind and current direction in the lead up and during clean-ups are not included when analysing litter pressure, making it challenging to truly determine trends.
Aside from the old jetty area at Cape Pallarenda, which recorded ‘moderate’ pressure, the remaining 9 sites in Cleveland Bay were under ‘very low’ to ‘low’ pressure. From those sites also included in the 2024 Report Card, only the site at Rowes Bay recorded more litter, going from ‘very low’ to ‘low’ pressure.
Most litter collected in Halifax and Cleveland Bays is considered to have washed ashore from the sea.
There was only one site in the Ross Basin, Riverside Gardens Community Centre along the Ross River, which recorded ‘moderate’ pressure.
