Injured pelican found by Clean4Shore
It was a bitterly cold and windy morning on Brisbane Waters for students from Woy Woy campus finding the sheltered foreshores along Blackwall
The first task was to release an injured pelican, entangled in fishing line and hooks penetrating its body, said co-ordinator Mr Graham Johnston.
"Students, supporting teachers and Clean4shore rescued this pelican with two fish hooks embedded in a wing and breast with fishing line entangled and wrapped around the wing," he said.
"With plenty of care, the pelican was cooperative and released by our team."
"Pelican Lady" Ms Wendy Gillespie was contacted to follow up on the bird's recovery.
"Two craft were removed along this foreshore with a fallen tree crushing the stern of a tinny and damaging the bow of the old fibreglass kayak," said Mr Johnston.
"Crossing the waterway under the Rip Bridge, a full bag of small litter was removed from Fishermans Bay plus several drums and buckets.
Calmer waters around the corner in Rileys Bay with a falling tide made possible the recovery of oyster product, carpet, more crates and poles with the students pushing the barge clear of surfacing rocks.
Assistance was provided to a local oyster grower with the students bailing out water from his work pontoon, which was close to sinking.
It was a slow cold trip back to Lions Park.
Warm again after a big healthy lunch, 220kg of rubbish was offloaded at Woy Woy Tip.
Mr Johnston said sightings of injured pelicans should be reported to Ms Gillespie on 0458 975 498.
SOURCE:
Social media, 25 Jun 2025
Graham Johnston, Clean4shore