News
Hunt Down Nurdles With Us This March
Monday, 17 Feb, 2025
Join the Aussie Nurdle Hunt & Clean-up this March!
Our Marine Debris Campaign is gearing up for the Aussie Nurdle Hunt & Clean-ups this March! Take direct action against pre-production plastic pellets by joining our event—or become a citizen scientist by hunting for nurdles at your local beach or waterway!
What are the nurdles & why are we looking for them?
Nurdles are tiny pre-production plastic pellets, about the size of a lentil, that escape into the marine environment before they even become plastic products. Because of their small size and mostly clear colour, many marine animals mistake them for food, leading to devastating consequences. To shine a spotlight on nurdle pollution, we need everyone on board to help map affected locations and raise awareness of these toxic pellets.
Go nurdle hunting near you!
Taking part is easy, fun, and makes a real difference! Your findings contribute to valuable data that helps show the scale of nurdle pollution along Australia’s coastlines.
How to Participate:
- Head to your local beach
- Invite some mates to join (Optional but highly encouraged!)
- Search for nurdles and collect any that you find
- Log your findings using the form below—this helps track the most impacted beaches and supports efforts to #StemTheTide of nurdle pollution.
How to search for nurdles
Choose a small area of the beach (no larger than 1-square metre) and scan carefully—you might not see them right away, but once you spot one, you'll start to see them everywhere.
Recommended equipment list:
- Kitchen sieve - this will help you separate nurdles from the sand
- Tweezers - these are the best tool for collecting nurdles
- A glass jar - to store the nurdles and keep them safe
How long does the hunt take?
As long as you like! Some people like to spend hours on the beach looking for nurdles.
Want to join Sea Shepherd Crew and go hunting together? Find Aussie Nurdle Hunt and Beach Clean-up event in your town here.