After Alfred: OzFish tackles plastic scourge

Cyclone Alfred, having run its course in early March 2025, was the first tropical cyclone to cross Moreton Bay since 1974.

Although downgraded to a tropical low before making landfall, the system unleashed intense rainfall and wild weather on South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, causing an estimated 1 billion dollars’ worth of losses and damage. Just as human lives and property bore the brunt, local ecosystems were also left heavily impacted.

Such was the case with Moorgumpin – Moreton Island – its beaches inundated with rubbish and plastic debris swept out into the bay from the mainland.

In response, OzFish’s Central Moreton Bay Chapter answered the call, organising a clean-up event from 3 to 6 April. The clean-up crew, featuring six OzFish volunteers and Senior Special Projects Officer Robbie Porter, combed Moorgumpin’s beaches and collected 4 cubic metres of plastic waste over the space of four days.

Robbie’s diary: Moorgumpin clean-up

Arriving on Moorgumpin, a pristine 37 km-long sand island just 40 km from Brisbane, we were met with a shocking scene. Instead of crystal-clear waters and unspoilt sand dunes, the beach resembled the aftermath of an oil spill—but instead of dark oil, we saw countless fragments of brightly coloured plastic stretching as far as the eye could see.

We’d received an urgent call from Nic, an OzFisher living on the island, distressed about the sheer amount of rubbish washing ashore. Her description was spot-on; plastic bottles, glow sticks, old toothbrushes, toy soldiers, fishing gear, and over 100 abandoned thongs lay scattered across the sand. Even more alarming were the tiny pieces of broken plastic – on their way to becoming microplastics – that pose such a serious threat to marine life.

Undeterred by the scale of the task, our volunteers jumped straight into action. Over four sweltering days, we meticulously combed the beaches and dunes, carefully sorting through pumice stones and removing even the smallest plastic fragments. By the end, we’d collected an incredible 4 cubic metres of plastic waste. Given that most pieces were as small as bottle caps (so many blue ones – why?!), this was a remarkable effort.

Of course, we managed to find time for some well-deserved relaxation. Fishing near Kooringal yielded a variety of catches including bream, tarwhine, sweetlip, mullet, a small yellowtail kingfish, and a few snapper—all safely returned to the ocean. Snorkelling and kayaking around the spectacular Tangalooma Wrecks revealed vibrant coral, abundant fish life, and eerie, beautiful shipwrecks.

We also visited two local oyster farms, giving our volunteers some fantastic insight into oyster farming. Learning firsthand how oysters are grown, farmed, and harvested provided valuable knowledge that directly supports our shellfish reef restoration projects. Understanding oyster biology and farming techniques helps us better approach reef restoration – crucial for enhancing marine biodiversity.

A huge shoutout to the OzFish volunteers who joined this mission. It was tough, sweaty work, but together we made a tangible difference. Though we know this clean-up was just the beginning in addressing the overwhelming plastic problem, it felt empowering to start restoring this special island.

Volunteers make all the difference

Are you looking to do something rewarding that connects you to your local community? Do you want to make a real-world difference by contributing to the restoration of local fishing habitats?

If the answer is “Yes!”, your local OzFish chapter wants to hear from you. Find your local OzFish chapter at ozfish.org.au and see how you can get involved.