Tallebudgera Creek COVID Clean-up June 2020

During COVID lockdown, I donned a tank to check out the Tallebudgera Creek Bridge, to inspect the submarine environment and resident marine life. Once underwater, I was shocked by the huge amounts of deadly fishing line, sharp hooks and sinkers which festooned the pylons and covered the bottom. As a long time local of the Koala Park region, I knew the dangers that marine debris posed to the safety of our local kiddies, swimmers, paddlers, boaties, marine and birdlife, so I knew I had to remove it - all - to make it safe for everyone.
So, from May 29, 2020, I cleaned the pylons and channels. I was helped by two keen marine advocates Michelle Coates and Sherri Fittler. We dived every daytime high tide, patiently removing one bag of marine debris at a time. If my buddies weren't available, I dived solo. Together we removed 30 bags of rubbish, over 3000 m of discarded fishing line, over 500 hooks, 600+ sinkers and a dozen or more pairs of men’s undies, and other rubbish. Finally, the channels, pylons and rocks were stripped of fishing debris and litter and the job was completed on June 13th. The 126 pylons which were a labyrinth of danger and death were now clean. The critters and the channels were now free of deadly hooks and the sand along the creek where bridge jumpers, kids and babies frolic, were free of dangerous hooks, lure, deadly fishing line and lost bait nets. Sadly, we found several strangulated moray eels and fish, only one of which we were able to save.
However, a follow-up dive 8 weeks later found a further 450m of fishing line, 120 hooks and 80 sinkers snagged on the creek bed, rocks and pylons. The "No fishing" signs on the bridge are ignored by line and cast net fishermen every day, with no enforcing from the GCC council or Dept of Main Roads who own the bridge. So the problem continues. It appears that the authorities don't understand the importance of protecting our iconic marine leisure assets. Please share this link with your local councillor and ask them to find a way to enforce the No Fishing from the bridge rules.
"No one can do everything, but everyone can do something". This is my something. What's yours? More information on our Facebook page: Hooked on Tallebudgera Creek Cleanup Crew :)

Видео Tallebudgera Creek COVID Clean-up June 2020 канала Sally Gregory