We were proud to support Pilbara Dive and Tours through the Monadelphous Community Grants Program, helping bring the Dampier Archipelago Island Clean‑Up to life and protect one of the region’s most spectacular marine environments.
Based in Karratha, Pilbara Dive and Tours is a locally owned marine tourism business that spends a lot of time out on the water. That close connection to the Dampier Archipelago means they see first‑hand just how beautiful, and how fragile, the area really is.
Pilbara Dive and Tours owner, Natalie Callanan said they spend a significant amount of time on the water and can see how special this environment is.
“Protecting it is extremely important to us, and we wanted to give something back to the environment we work in every day,” she said.
During the clean‑up, volunteers removed more than 63 kilograms of rubbish from island beaches and surrounding waters. The haul included plastic bottles, food packaging, rope, fishing line, nets and other marine debris.
“The sheer amount of rubbish really highlights the scale of the issue, particularly in remote areas where debris can build up over time without regular clean‑ups,” Natalie said.
“Discarded fishing gear also poses a serious risk to marine life such as turtles, dolphins and seabirds.”
Funding from the Monadelphous Community Grant helped cover essential costs like fuel, safety equipment, waste removal and boat access. This made it possible for the team to reach remote islands and beaches that would otherwise be difficult, or impossible, to access.
“Having access to a boat made a huge difference, allowing us to reach islands where rubbish would simply stay there without this kind of support,” Natalie said.
“Community involvement was a big part of what made the day such a success and involving locals, especially young people, helps build long‑term awareness.
“A lot of volunteers leave with a greater appreciation for the Dampier Archipelago and a real sense of pride knowing they’ve made a positive difference.”
Natalie said the small grant played a key role in making the clean‑up safer, more effective and far‑reaching.
“Support from organisations like Monadelphous sends a powerful message that this work matters,” Natalie said.
“It motivates volunteers and shows the wider community that protecting the Pilbara’s marine and island ecosystems is a shared priority.”
The clean‑up is a great example of what can be achieved when community comes together, helping protect the Dampier Archipelago so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.