Save our sea life from our tackle

Home 🞂 Newsroom 🞂 Save our sea life from our tackle

23 February 2017

Marine debris can be a real pain in the neck for our wildlife. But everyone can play an active part in reducing marine debris by being responsible with their trash.

One of the most common types of marine debris reported in the Midwest is discarded fishing tackle. This can result in a slow death for our wildlife – as many animals often mistake lures, floats, plastic bags and other items for food or become entangled.

It is for this reason the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) is recommending five simple things that everyone can do to help prevent fishing tackle and rubbish from becoming marine debris:

  • Avoid going into wildlife feeding and nesting areas.
  • Avoid using stainless steel hooks – which take years to break down.
  • Collect and correctly dispose of discarded fishing line, and other gear or rubbish.
  • Cut discarded fishing line into small pieces – to avoid entanglement in case birds and other animals scavenge rubbish bins.
  • If you snag your fishing line, try pulling it out from different angles before you give it up. Try not to leave anything behind.

NACC Coastal and Marine Officer Hamish Longbottom said “If you accidently hook a seabird it is important to not panic and cut the line. If possible, try to gently reel the bird in. Then place a towel or shirt over the bird’s head and eyes before carefully removing the hook or line.”

“It is also important not release the bird if the hook has been swallowed or is embedded too deeply to remove easily,” said Hamish. “Your best option is to take the bird to your local vet or wildlife carer.”

The Wildcare helpline is a telephone referral service operated by volunteers on behalf of Parks and Wildlife that provides a service for the public who find sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife and are seeking advice on where to find care for the animal.

If you’ve found injured wildlife, call the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055. You can also find more information on the Parks and Wildlife website.

Everyone with an interest in reducing marine debris, especially plastic waste, is invited to join NACC at a special screening of the feature length social impact documentary ‘A Plastic Ocean’ – which is showing at 6.15pm on Wednesday 1 March at Orana Cinemas in Geraldton. Doors open at 5.30pm.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kym.Jefferies@nacc.com.au 08 9938 0124

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In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.