Three new Seal the Loop Bins installed around the Werribee South jetty and boat ramp to collect old fishing line, hooks and sinkers.
Local Werribee South resident Susanne Jensen has been finding an astonishing amount of fishing line strewn around the jetty and beach area on her daily walks. Concerned about the local wildlife, including endangered migratory birds and fish, she contacted the Werribee River Association to see what could be done.
Fishing wire is dire for our local wildlife. Birds, fish, and mammals such as seals and platypus, get easily entangled or ingest discarded fishing gear such as line, hooks and rope. It is the deadliest type of marine litter ingested by seals, and studies have shown that juveniles in particular, are regularly injured or killed after being entangled.
And it’s not just wildlife that is impacted! A neighbour of Susanne’s was forced to spend many hours in the vet, removing a hook from their dog’s throat, after they ingested a bit of fish with the hook still intact.
It impacts our health too! Fishery products one of the main sources of microplastics in the human diet. It is now estimated that we ingest around a credit card’s worth of microplastics each year, and research is showing that this is having a detrimental impact on our health. Microplastic particles have been linked to increased heart disease, endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer.
So, when the Werribee River Association heard from Susanne, we knew we had to do something to support the health of our waterways and local community.
We have obtained three Seal the Loop Bins, an initiative from Zoos Victoria and Victorian Fisheries, which have now been installed around the Werribee South jetty and boat ramp. These bins will be maintained and emptied by Wyndham City Council
We are asking our Werribee South anglers to please:
- Utilise these bins to discard wire, hooks, sinkers and bait bags
- Clean your fish at the designated cleaning location
- Dispose of scraps and rubbish in the bin
In other words, leave no trace! It will ensure an abundance of fish stocks and a healthy environment for generations to come.
Click here to read the Star Weekly’s report on the installation of the bins.
For enquiries contact jess.fairfax@werribeeriver.org.au
