Story: Marine conservation

Jetsam, Makara Beach

Jetsam, Makara Beach

A man examines a sawn piece of timber with seaweed attached. Beaches are littered with natural detritus – seaweed, driftwood, or dead sea creatures, which all decompose. Waves and tides concentrate this debris at the high-water mark. Plastic packaging has increased the litter around the coast. Much of this rubbish comes from the land, entering the sea through urban storm-water drains. As it is not biodegradable it accumulates, and beach clean-ups are needed to clear it away.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1995/4113/12

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, 'Marine conservation - The boundless ocean', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5804/jetsam-makara-beach (accessed 29 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Sep 2015