With the Rena disaster still fresh in people's minds, Bay of Plenty residents are being encouraged to help protect the region's marine environment.
People are being asked to take part in Seaweek, which runs from March 3-11, by reducing the amount of general rubbish in waterways.
Seaweek regional coordinator Trudi Ngawhare says the volunteer effort during the Rena clean up and the ‘adopt a beach' monitoring programmes is nothing short of amazing and highlights just how important the sea is to the community.
During regular monitoring at Whakaari, Rurima, Moutoki and Moutohora Islands, Department of Conservation rangers collected debris and general flotsam.
Ranger Pete Livingstone says separate to the Rena, the level of general rubbish such as plastic containers and more worrying rope, monofilament products, types of foam and insulation continues to be collected from sections of coastal beach.
'The Rena had a devastating effect on our marine environment, but of equal concern is the large amount of general rubbish that is continually in our waterways and is easily fixed if each of us plays our part.
'In New Zealand every year, seals, penguins, fish, dolphins, whales, albatrosses and other birds mistakenly swallow rubbish thinking it's food, then choke or become entangled in rope and plastic and drown.”
Trudi says Seaweek is a time to reflect on this people can do individually to protect the region's coastal environment.
3 comments
Nobody listens
Posted on 07-03-2012 12:03 | By Surfwatch
I have been complaining to everyone about the "crab potters" placing dead fish very close to the surfline down Omanu Beach. There are a number of factors involved. Effectively the dead fish bait will attract feeders and sharks, close to swimmers and surfers. Why burley the water you and your kids are swimming in. Secondly the discarded dead fish bait is washing up on the beach. Fish heads, some with filleted bodies attached are washing up on the beach. Smelly, rotten fish are a disgrace to our beaches. But no one listens MAF says that they cant do anything about it as it is not illegal, the police say its not their problem and refer me to the BOP Regional Council. I have not yet received a reply from the BOP Regional Council. I know sharks are out there but would you go swimming with a dead fish trailing from you. You would be asking for trouble. In fact any shark attacks in the Bay have been down to divers with dead fish attached to their belts. It os only a matter of time that the "dead fish bait" will attract a shark into shallow surf and a child or a surfer will be bitten. Then there will be a big review etc. Why wait until then. Move the "crab potters" away from primarily recreational beaches.
Hypocrite
Posted on 08-03-2012 10:34 | By CC8
What's a primarily recreational beach? What's recreation? Some people like to swim , some to fish and some to surf. If you want to define a swimming beach swim between the flags, there's no crab pots there. As for surfers, one could say they are a hazard to swimmers and crab potters trying to set their pots..........time to share and co exist. Fish frames could come from anywhere, not necessarily from crab potters.
Prime Minister Support
Posted on 09-03-2012 11:35 | By Surfwatch
I will draw your attention to the Omaha Residents and Ratepayers Association who were backed by John Key, in just the same struggle they had with crab potters in 2008(reported in the Herald). Also they were backed by the Surf Lifesaving Club and the Ministry of Fisheries. In another article related to the crab pots, Bill Ralston suggested those people who dont think its a problem should put on a lifejacket and be tethered to a crab pot for 24 hours. My grandaughter swims regularly around this area. Anything which would make sharks just that much more prone to come close to shore should be discouraged.
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