PARTS of our seabed are now much cleaner thanks to the deep diving efforts of a small army of ocean going volunteers.

More than 300 underwater volunteers have been cleaning the state's estuaries and seafloor, removing around 3500 items of rubbish from over 14.5 hectares during the last three years.

The clean-up has occurred from the Tweed River to Eden by 11 underwater research groups under the banner of Underwater Volunteers NSW, with guidance from Southern Cross University marine researchers.

Project Officer, Bob Edgar form SCU's National Marine Science Centre, developed sampling protocols to ensure that all site surveys were done in the same way.

They also implemented a series of training programs to build the research capacity of underwater volunteers and standardised methods so data can be used to say somehting definitives about marine and estuarine environments.

One conclusion has been that estuaries are where we find the most rubbish and that fishing-related items, and especially monofilament and braided fishing line, are the most prevalent in all underwater habitats,.

Underwater divers work in pairs to methodically record the exact time, type and location details of the debris they find onto datasheets. This information is then uploaded onto the Underwater Volunteers NSW database.

"We have tried to make the process of data entry as simple as possible," Mr Edgar said

."Volunteers can now simply log onto the web site, type in their data, and then download a summary for their group.

"The statewide program demonstrates how volunteers can not only contribute to sustainability of resource use, but also provide important data for ongoing management.bitats.

"The project is attracting considerable attention and the project team was recently awarded the Southern Cross University's Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Community Engagement.