Jagged cans and smelly sea mysteries

I frequently walk near the southern end of Umina Beach, and it's rare that at low tide I do not pick up several jagged metal tops and bottoms from drink cans.

The walls of the cans are made from much thinner metal and after rolling around at the bottom of Broken Bay for some time the walls disintegrate, leaving just the very sharp tops and bottoms waiting for tender feet.

But perhaps an even greater danger comes by way of the bits and pieces of seafood and all kinds of smelly sea mysteries.

The other day at low tide I found what looked like the cut-off head of a stingray.

I had been listening with horror to the report of a shark attack off South Australia which took the life of a teenager, and it was remarked that the shark was probably looking for the food it was accustomed to find there.

Where better to wait for food than in a semi-enclosed bay where fishermen clean their catches, along with their bilges, as they bring their boats in after a day or night's fishing, and perhaps also throw out their empty drink cans.

Later this summer Umina Beach will host the State Championships for the Nippers with hundreds of children competing and playing on this beach in Broken Bay.

How can we persuade fishermen to clean their catches well out in the ocean currents?

And how can we persuade everyone to take home their empty drink cans? Their own children and grandchildren will be the winners.

Fran Adams, Umina Beach