Almost a tonne of waste taken from Empire Bay waters

Students from Brisbane Water Secondary College have removed almost a tonne of waste from waterways around Empire Bay.

The students took part in two cleaning expeditions around Empire Bay.

The first took place on March 8 and focussed on cleaning around Cockle Bay, a small inlet located near Empire Bay Public School.

Clean4Shore facilitator Mr Graeme Johnson said a large double bed mattress and a foam cushion were removed from the mangroves by students.

"The jetty foreshore had oyster trays visible in the water."

Mr Johnson said 12 large trays were removed.

"Oyster mesh was tangled in the adjoining mangroves."

He said this was removed together with small litter items on the tidal marks.

"Many other larger items began to appear in the metre deep water: a large advertising sign, lifting trolley, poly piping, office chair, steel piping buckets and foam items.

"Students faced a tough, muddy task, but it was a good outcome for the local environment.

"During the trip back to Lions Park, the group identified a small craft in the mangroves, which was towed back to the boat ramp."

Mr Johnson said a trailer with 540 kilos of rubbish was taken to Woy Woy tip.

On March 15, students again went with Clean4Shore to collect waste and debris around the Empire Bay wetlands.

Oyster product once again dominated the clean up

With a falling tide, the group first ventured into the Empire Bay wetlands and then cleaned from Merritts Wharf back towards Empire Bay.

"Plenty of small litter items were collected with eight big bags loaded into the barge with plastic pieces dominating the load.

"Boating parts, plastic oyster mesh, small and large plastic oyster trays pulled from the mangroves also made up a large portion of the debris collected," Mr Johnson said.

The group them travelled to the north western end of Riley's Island for a targeted clean up.

"Small litter items, plastic bottles and oyster product again dominated the collection.

"Our final task was on Pelican Island, cleaning the Woy Woy Channel."

Small litter, food wrappings and plastic pieces were collected behind the high tidal mark.

"All up 15 very large bags were loaded into the trailer, underneath the oyster product, with 400 kilos off loaded at Woy Woy tip," Mr Johnson said.

SOURCE:

Social media, 15 Mar 2019

Graeme Johnson, Clean4Shore