The project, co-ordinated by Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care Society, involved almost 500 volunteers who cleaned up beaches from Perth to Walpole.

It is the fifth year the society has staged the project, and more than 500,000 pieces of debris have been removed from beaches over the period.

The project has grown each year, and in 2009 was extended nationally throughout Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales as well as internationally in New Zealand and Hawaii.

Five sites along the Capes’ coastline have been monitored every month since 2006 and once again provided some ugly finds, including five tonne of rope at Ellensbrook Beach.

With help from volunteers and Department of Environment and Conservation rangers the rope was cut into chunks and lifted above the high tide mark to prevent it from washing back into the ocean.

Unfortunately before rangers were able to remove the rope from the rock ledges, it was mysteriously burnt, creating the need for further clean ups to remove the plastic lava flow.

The 2009 South West Marine Debris Report will be available online in the New Year, and will provide further data and information for this year’s project.

If you are keen to volunteer for beach clean ups during 2010 email heidi@tangoroablue.com with your location to find out the time and place.