Brunswick Heads Cleanup Event

Brunswick Heads Cleanup event

On Sunday, the 17th of November, OzFish and Positive Change for Marine Life collaborated to hold a Keep it Clean event in the Brunswick River, made possible through funding by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust and Marine Estate Management Strategy and support on the day from Reflections Holidays and Oceana wildlife, Junior Wildlife Rangers.

Positive Change for Marine Life is a non-profit organisation focused on developing solutions to marine debris and pollution, leading community-driven restoration and engaging with fishers in resource sustainability solutions.

More than thirty recreational fishers volunteered their time, managing to collect 30kgs of rubbish, making 6 bags full from the Brunswick break-wall and surrounding reserve covering an area of 300 metres by 200 metres.

The most common items found were soft plastic remnants, with a total of 313 pieces. Other common items were takeaway food items at 70 pieces, 34 alcohol bottles, 91 cigarettes and 160 pieces of hard plastic.

As for recreational fishing items, 4 metres of fishing line and 1 lure were found. Unfortunately, there were a lot of items like clothing, pillows, etc, left over from people camping out in the Brunswick reserve. The most unusual item found was a knife, which is particularly good to remove from a public, family-friendly area.

Event Highlights

A huge highlight of my first event with OzFish was the attitude of the volunteers who turned up! Their enthusiasm and dedication to the cause was inspiring and refreshing. To know that we have a passionate community looking to protect and improve our precious ecosystem.

One individual even committed herself to cleaning up the Brunswick area multiple times a week, focusing on dune care and litter. Events like this are a great chance to meet our local heroes, the ones who don’t always wear capes!

Another highlight was seeing how involved everybody got with the mission, going above and beyond to clean up Brunswick. Participants actively engaged in foraging through rocks, bushes, and beaches, ensuring that no area was left untouched. Despite having only about 1.5 hours for the cleanup, many expressed a desire to continue their efforts even after we had to call people back for an audit.

Hosting an event like Keep it Clean is such a great community boost for the small town of Brunswick Heads. Many people who didn’t register prior expressed interest in the event and organisations involved when passing by.

By hosting litter and data collection events, it creates an opportunity for the community to think twice about where their used materials might likely end up and the role that each of us plays in ensuring our litter doesn’t end up in local waterways or environments. 

As an OzFish Young Leader, it was great to be part of these events and learn what goes on behind the scenes to make this happen. Engaging with other participants and having the opportunity to work with leaders like- Emma Kark from OzFish and Lucy Jepson from Positive Change for Marine Life is a great opportunity and inspiring to see two organisations work together for a common goal.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed towards making this a successful event and towards raising awareness for littering, the community and organisations who are working together to prevent littering.

Written by Ashley Castle
OzFish Young Leader, working with the Richmond River Chapter 2024

Keep it Clean is a partnership with OzFish and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. It is made possible through funding by the Recreational Fishing Trust and Marine Estate Management Strategy.

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