Each year, tonnes of marine debris wash ashore on Cape Arnhem - a stark reminder of the scale and reach of the plastic crisis. Items ranging from fishing nets, rope, single use plastic bottles, buoys, fishing crates, and thongs to fragments of broken-down plastic consumer goods are scattered along the beaches, tangled in vegetation, and buried beneath layers of sand and time.

In May 2025, Sea Shepherd Australia's Marine Debris Campaign team returned to the remote coastline of Northeast Arnhem Land for our annual clean-up operation with the Dhimurru Land and Sea Rangers. This campaign, now a deeply valued collaboration between Sea Shepherd and the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, brings together two groups with a shared mission: to protect and preserve the coastline of the Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area. For our team, being welcomed onto this Country is a privilege, and we arrive with a clear sense of responsibility, humility, and gratitude.

The plastic that arrives here has travelled far. Much of it is not Australian in origin, having drifted across oceans from neighbouring countries or international fishing fleets. Marine debris is not just a local problem, it is a global emergency, impacting some of the most remote and culturally sacred coastlines in the world.

The Dhimurru Rangers are more than land managers. They are cultural custodians, Yolŋu men and women entrusted with the care of their ancestral homelands. Their work blends traditional knowledge with modern environmental management practices, creating a model of stewardship that is both deeply grounded and highly effective. They know the nesting sites of turtles, the seasonal patterns, the stories behind each part of the land and sea. Their role in this campaign is not just operational, it is foundational. Their leadership ensures that every action taken is in line with Yolŋu values and responsibilities to Country.

During the two-week clean-up, Sea Shepherd volunteers and Dhimurru Rangers worked together each day, often in wet and challenging conditions, to remove as much debris as possible. The logistics of accessing many of the sites are complex. The terrain is rugged, and many beaches are only reachable with local knowledge, 4WD vehicles, or ATV’s and quad bikes. It is work that cannot be done without the leadership of the Dhimurru Rangers, who bring not only practical expertise but a profound understanding of the land its significance, its rhythms, and its needs.

Overall, 6.6 tonnes of marine plastic removed from 8 kilometres of beach, equalling approximately 274,288 pieces of rubbish removed. Our team sorted, counted, and logged 10% of the debris collected. This meticulous process is essential for data collection and reporting, contributing to national marine debris databases and informing strategies to combat pollution at its source.

While the physical work is laborious, the sense of shared purpose keeps spirits high. There is a special kind of solidarity that forms when people work shoulder to shoulder in service of something greater than themselves. Between beach cleaning and sorting debris, there were conversations, shared meals, stories, and moments of deep connection.

Among the most heart-wrenching realities of marine debris is its impact on wildlife. On these beaches, we regularly encounter the remains of marine animals entangled in discarded fishing nets or trapped inside plastic waste. Ghost nets - massive, drifting remnants of commercial fishing gear, pose an ongoing threat to turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and other marine life. Once ensnared, these animals suffer slow, agonising deaths. Plastic fragments are mistaken for food and ingested, leading to internal injuries or starvation. Every piece of rubbish we collect represents a potential life saved.

The clean-up, while impactful, is only one small part of the ongoing work of looking after Country. It is a reminder that solutions to environmental issues in Australia must begin with and be led by Indigenous voices. The Dhimurru Rangers are not just environmental stewards, they are knowledge holders, teachers, and protectors of cultural heritage. Through time spent together on Country, volunteers are permitted access to a deeper understanding and appreciation for Yolŋu culture, lore, and worldview.

Despite the tonnes of debris removed, we know the beaches will not stay clean. The incoming tide will bring more plastic, more discarded nets, more waste from far-off places. This is the disheartening part of the work - knowing that without systemic change, the cycle will continue. But rather than discouraging us, it fuels our resolve. Each item removed is one less threat to marine life. Each campaign raises awareness and builds pressure for change. Each moment on Country strengthens our connection and commitment to supporting Indigenous-led conservation.

Our partnership with Dhimurru is built on trust, respect, and a shared determination to protect what matters most. It is an ongoing relationship that deepens with each visit. Sea Shepherd will continue to stand alongside the Dhimurru Rangers in defence of Country.

We were also fortunate to have Steven and Kristen on our team who work as rangers in the South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area (SEAL IPA), and Kade, who brings over 15 years of experience working in community and alongside First Nations people in Arnhem Land. Steven is deeply committed to protecting Country within the SEAL IPA, and spending two weeks with him was a powerful experience for the rest of the volunteer team. Kade’s insights and stories added another layer of depth to the journey, and we felt honoured to learn from his time spent working across this remarkable part of the world.

In September, our team will travel to the SEAL IPA to work alongside the Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers and Yugul Mangi Rangers for the first time, supporting their efforts to combat the growing threat of marine plastic pollution.