The International Canoe Federation has joined the United Nations' "Clean Seas" campaign to reduce plastic pollution in our waterways ©ICF

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has joined the United Nations (UN) Environment’s "Clean Seas" Campaign it has been announced.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution and help clean up the world’s waterways.

New Zealand’s two-time Olympian Mike Dawson has agreed to become an ambassador for the campaign.

"I absolutely love paddling and the opportunities it has provided me," he said.

"But it has also given me an opportunity to see first-hand how we are trashing our environment.

"There are few scenes more heart-breaking than to be ripping down a rarely traversed river and seeing plastic bottles and other junk floating by.

"If we can raise awareness and help educate people through ‘Clean Seas’, it will maybe give our environment a second chance."

The ICF claim their paddlers are "in a unique position to act as guardians of the waterways" because rivers, streams, lakes and oceans are so essential for them.

New Zealand's Mike Dawson has been named as an ambassador for the
New Zealand's Mike Dawson has been named as an ambassador for the "Clean Seas" campaign ©Getty Images

Dawson already has a reputation as one of the world’s most intrepid paddlers, having paddled on every continent and is planning a major trip to Africa later this year.

Head of UN Environment Erik Solheim claimed it was "great" to have Dawson’s support.

"We need more and more people paddling against plastic pollution, and the backing of the sports and outdoor community is crucial in helping us get the message out," he said.

As part of the fight against plastic the ICF trialled a new sustainability project earlier this year at a canoe slalom World Cup in Augsburg in Germany, which encouraged athletes and spectators to recycle and avoid the use of single-use water bottles.

Plans are now in place to expand the project across the dozens of events every year across the 11 disciplines within the ICF.

"Augsburg was a tremendous success, and was embraced by all our athletes and officials," ICF marketing manager and sustainability coordinator Catherine Wieser said.

"What was obvious is that our athletes feel very passionate about the water they paddle on, and they want to do whatever they can to help keep these waterways clean," she said. 

Specific targets for plastic reduction will become part of future host city agreements.