OzFish Tackles 26 Tonne Of Litter
No one likes a dirty waterway, which is why the last few months OzFish has put a big focus on cleaning up some of our favourite fishing spots around the country. From engaging our fleet of River Repair Buses, to empowering chapters to get out and get their hands dirty – more than a tonne of rubbish has been removed from the environment.
If we slide the scale back to 2017, that will bring OzFish’s running total to a massive 26 tonnes of rubbish removed from waterways since we picked up that first piece of rubbish.
But what does this mean for our native fish?
By removing larger items, such as plastic bags and bottles, OzFish is removing the potential for those items to breakdown further into micro plastics. Microplastics, fragments of plastic less than five millimetres in size, are infiltrating our rivers, oceans, and even the air we breathe.
Every year 130, 000 tons of plastic leak into Australia’s marine ecosystems. In a staggering stat by 2050, plastic in the ocean may surpass the weight of fish.
The impact of microplastics on marine life is profound. Once tiny organisms like zooplankton ingest these particles, they journey up the food chain. This pathway means the tiny fish you use as bait transfer their microplastic up the food chain to that 55cm flathead you caught for dinner.
Now I know what you are thinking – depressing stuff right? Rest assured, there are things we can do.
In a few weeks’ time, Australia’s own national clean-up is happening – ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ – which provides the opportunity for you, a recreational fisher, to come together and help remove litter in your backyard.
OzFish has a proud history of supporting Clean Up Australia Day, and this year we are calling on the four million-strong recreational fishers in Australia to step up and help clean up rubbish along our rivers, creeks, estuaries, and beaches.
At OzFish, we know that fixing environmental issues is not something we can do in a day.
Last weekend, for example, Kings Billabong and Butlers Creek witnessed an extraordinary display of commitment from the OzFish crew. Responding swiftly to reports of dumped rubbish at these vital restoration sites, the River Repair Bus was dispatched to lead the clean-up. The operation was intense, requiring three trips to the local waste depot to dispose of the unsightly and harmful debris found in the waterways. (Gary) and his team’s hard work shows how much difference a few hands can have on our environment.
Our ongoing ‘Keep it Clean’ program has seen remarkable successes across various sites.
- Carawah Reserve, Gosford (19/11/23): Volunteers gathered to remove 69.5kg of rubbish, demonstrating the power of community action.
- Watsons Bay, Sydney (9/12/2023): A focus on microplastics resulted in the removal of 25kg of these harmful pollutants.
- Bensons Creek, Illawarra (10/12/2023): An impressive haul of approximately 300kg of rubbish was cleared, safeguarding the mangrove habitats.
- Naru, Lake Macquarie (21/1/24): Even with a smaller team, 160kg of rubbish was successfully removed.
- Hastings River (22/2/24): Local fishos came together to remove 311.8kg of waste, from plastics to a bike frame, showcasing their commitment to their favourite fishing spot.
But we have no intention of stopping there. That is why we have a national Tackling Litter Program that addresses litter from prevention and repair, all the way through to recycling and cirulararity. We are looking beyond today, to not just take litter now, but reduce litter on a national scale entering out waterways.
Come March 3rd, we are looking for our volunteers to collect another tonne of rubbish and remove it from our waterways. Across over a dozen events, there will be an opportunity for every OzFisher to attend, no matter what state or territory you live in.
Participating in Clean Up Australia Day is not just about cleaning up; it’s about standing up for our waterways, protecting marine life, and inspiring a movement towards a cleaner, healthier environment in Australia.
With clear signs across our communities that there is an appetite for cleaner waterways, we want to build on this momentum and show Australia that they can reky on recreational fishing community.
Click the link below to view all of the Clean Up Australia Day events OzFish will be involved in this year. To find more clean up activities in your area, head to your local council’s website.
