The Platy-Project

Group members also picked up marine debris from several of the island’s beaches. Although far less was found than on the first working bee, there were still thousands of pieces of plastic retrieved, and more than 15 kg of rope, which breaks up into tiny plastic pieces if left to perish. All marine plastic is a threat to marine life and shorebirds.

It was not all toil for the volunteers! Jesse and Taylor took care to show the visitors some of the scenic, prehistoric and historic highlights of the island.

At the end of the working bee, the visitors sailed back to the Tasmanian mainland with many happy memories, fair skies and smooth seas.

Thanks to Cradle Coast NRM for supporting the transport, accommodation, catering and equipment for the working bee, and Taylor and Jesse for all their hard work managing the team on the island.

This project is supported through funding from the Australian Government.

We know the platypus has a large distribution – from the tropics of northern Queensland to temperate Tasmania – but little is known about which specific waterways platypus inhabit, including whether declines in populations or local extinctions have occurred.

That’s where you can help. There are places within the platypus’s range where sightings have never been recorded, or where they haven’t been seen for a long time. These are our biggest gaps in knowledge.

This September, ACF is asking you to head to your nearby river or creek to see if you can spot a platypus. All information from The Platy-Project website. Check it out!