Cafes and restaurants near some of Australia’s most iconic beaches will receive public funds to transition away from single-use plastics.

The Albanese government will pump $600,000 into a program focused on eliminating the bulk of Australia’s litter, including coffee cups and lids, straws, takeaway containers, plastic bags and drink bottles.

Food retailers will be given tailored assistance to switch to reusable or compostable alternatives.

Port Douglas in Queensland, Rottnest Island in Western Australia and Randwick in NSW will be included in the scheme.

So too will Port Lincoln in South Australia, Darwin beaches in the Northern Territory and the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

The southeastern coast of Tasmania and Jervis Bay and Sussex Inlet in NSW round out the shortlisted locations.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said about 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste leaked into Australia’s waterways each year.

“Experts have predicted that by 2050 the amount of plastic in our oceans will outweigh fish,” she said.

“It can take just a moment for plastic to enter the environment, but the environmental impacts last for centuries.”

The Australian government has also reaffirmed its commitment to whale conservation at an international convention in Slovenia.

Australian Nick Gales was nominated as vice chair of the International Whaling Commission.

Ms Plibersek said Australia was committed to leading the way on protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises.

“Each migration season Australia’s coastline turns in to a highway for whales. It is important we keep these routes safe and free of pollution,” she said.