A few years ago my walking group did a wonderful walk from Aongatete, across the Tauranga Harbour, to Matakana Island.

On the Matakana side of the harbour, the sea floor was covered in beautiful lush green sea grass, rolling with the tides. It really was quite a sight.

A couple of years later, the group made the same trek, and we were disgusted to see that the lush green sea grass was now a barren desert. There were some stalks sticking out of the sand, and that was it. The thriving green of nature had turned an ugly bleak brown. The whole picture reminded me of a coral reef that had died.

I understand the cause of this environmental tragedy is the swans that are fouling the ecosystem. They eat the sea grass. As there are now so many swans in the harbour, the poor grass does not stand a chance against the colossal dietary needs of the swans.

Something needs to be done about this swan problem. Our pristine coastal areas need to be protected. We are in charge of the natural inheritance we are leaving for future generations.

M Moore, Tauranga City.