TIDE TO TIP - WATERWAY CLEAN-UP PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION & SAFETY VIDEO
Before commencing your clean-up, please:
Before commencing your clean-up, please:
- Watch the introduction & safety video below
- Read the safety sheet provided in the clean-up pack
- Sign-on as a volunteer
- Consider local conditions & risks, and discuss these with your clean-up coordinator
- Agree on areas to target, how you'll be splitting your resources and how long you'll be out
- Remember to sign-off when you finish up!
BACKGROUND
Oysters are often called the canary in the coal-mine for estuary health, however it is oyster farmers who are truly the eyes and ears of the waterway. Out on their punts every day, these watermen have an intimate knowledge of their local environment and are often the first to report water pollution events and upstream disturbances. With the health of the environment intimately linked with their future income, they also have a vested interest to maintain and improve estuary condition.
For many years oyster farmers have supported community groups to undertake waterway clean-ups, volunteering their equipment and knowledge for the public good. Recognising the capacity of the oyster industry to undertake estuary clean-ups, in 2019 OceanWatch put forward a proposal to mobilise as many farmers as possible to undertake clean-ups in the same fortnight. The response was overwhelming with 240 oyster farmers across 4 states committing to participate in its inaugural year.
The model for a clean-up is easy to replicate and farmers can decide locally what specific day & time would work. Working in partnership with Clean-Up Australia Day, OceanWatch assists with the organisation of waste collection & disposal, provide rubbish bags, gloves, assists with insurance etc.
The initiative, dubbed ‘Tide to Tip’, has also seen oyster farmers partner with commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, indigenous groups, schools and community groups to add on-ground capacity to the clean-ups. These partnerships have also help oyster farmers to build relationships and social licence with their local community.
The more growing regions we can get on board the better – it becomes a much better story, and one that demonstrates the value that the oyster industry places on a healthy environment. If you’d like your estuary or embayment to get involved please let me know on 0488656366 or email Andy@oceanwatch.org.au.
Oysters are often called the canary in the coal-mine for estuary health, however it is oyster farmers who are truly the eyes and ears of the waterway. Out on their punts every day, these watermen have an intimate knowledge of their local environment and are often the first to report water pollution events and upstream disturbances. With the health of the environment intimately linked with their future income, they also have a vested interest to maintain and improve estuary condition.
For many years oyster farmers have supported community groups to undertake waterway clean-ups, volunteering their equipment and knowledge for the public good. Recognising the capacity of the oyster industry to undertake estuary clean-ups, in 2019 OceanWatch put forward a proposal to mobilise as many farmers as possible to undertake clean-ups in the same fortnight. The response was overwhelming with 240 oyster farmers across 4 states committing to participate in its inaugural year.
The model for a clean-up is easy to replicate and farmers can decide locally what specific day & time would work. Working in partnership with Clean-Up Australia Day, OceanWatch assists with the organisation of waste collection & disposal, provide rubbish bags, gloves, assists with insurance etc.
The initiative, dubbed ‘Tide to Tip’, has also seen oyster farmers partner with commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, indigenous groups, schools and community groups to add on-ground capacity to the clean-ups. These partnerships have also help oyster farmers to build relationships and social licence with their local community.
The more growing regions we can get on board the better – it becomes a much better story, and one that demonstrates the value that the oyster industry places on a healthy environment. If you’d like your estuary or embayment to get involved please let me know on 0488656366 or email Andy@oceanwatch.org.au.
Scheduled Tide to Tip clean-ups 2021
(click on a waterway for more information)
(click on a waterway for more information)
Wonboyn Lake (NSW)
Date |
Friday 26th February 2021 |
Time |
8:30am |
Clean-up sites |
To be confirmed on day of the cleanup |
Meeting location |
Boat ramp |
Other groups involved |
None |
Coordinator name |
Kel Henry / Rebecca Hamilton |
Contact coordinator |
ems.scwo@gmail.com / 0413859120 |
Any other details |
Rubbish to be placed in skip bin at boat ramp following clean-up activity |
PAMBULA LAKE (NSW)
Date |
Friday 19th February 2021 |
Time |
10:00am, please check with coordinator |
Clean-up sites |
Pambula Lake foreshore |
Meeting location |
Shed depot site |
Other groups involved |
No |
Coordinator name |
Rebecca Hamilton |
Contact coordinator |
ems.scwo@gmail.com / 0413859120 |
Any other details |
Rubbish disposal TBC |
MERIMBULA LAKE (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 17th February 2021 |
Time |
4pm |
Clean-up sites |
Boardwalk and Merimbula Lake foreshore |
Meeting location |
Fisheries office (start of the boardwalk) |
Other groups involved |
? |
Coordinator name |
Rebecca Hamilton |
Contact coordinator |
ems.scwo@gmail.com / 0413859120 |
Any other details |
Rubbish disposal TBC |
Nelsons Lagoon (NSW)
Oyster farmers from Nelsons Lagoon will be assisting with the clean-up in Wapengo Lake
Wapengo Lake (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 17th February 2021 |
Time |
TBC - please check with coordinator |
Clean-up sites |
Wapengo Lake foreshore, focusing on N & NW areas near Wapengo Creek |
Meeting location |
Oyster Sheds |
Other groups involved |
TBC |
Coordinator name |
Rebecca Hamilton |
Contact coordinator |
bechamilton78@gmail.com / 0413859120 |
Any other details |
Rubbish disposal TBC |
Wagonga Inlet (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 17th February 2021 |
Time |
10am |
Clean-up sites |
Wagonga Inlet foreshore, focusing on Fosters Bay |
Meeting location |
Oyster sheds in Barlows Bay |
Other groups involved |
No |
Coordinator name |
Linda Fernihough |
Contact coordinator |
lindafern@tpg.com.au / 0405783322 |
Any other details |
Farmers need to transport to Brou Waste Facility (1 Brou Lake Road, Dalmeny). Council has advised of free waste disposal, however will not accept oyster gear. |
Tuross Lakes (NSW)
Date |
Monday 22nd February 2021 |
Time |
9:00 am |
Clean-up sites |
To be confirmed on day of clean-up |
Meeting location |
Glenn Jones' shed |
Other groups involved |
No |
Coordinator name |
Craig Lavis |
Contact coordinator |
craig@horseisland.com.au / 0439575518 |
Any other details |
Farmers need to transport to Brou Waste Facility (1 Brou Lake Road, Dalmeny). Council has advised of free waste disposal, however will not accept oyster gear. |
Clyde River (NSW)
Date |
Friday 19th February 2021 |
Time |
1pm |
Clean-up sites |
Clyde River foreshore, focusing on Mcleods Creek |
Meeting location |
In front of Jim & John's Shed (Batemans Bay Oysters) |
Other groups involved |
No |
Coordinator name |
Jim Yiannaros |
Contact coordinator |
bboyster@bigpond.net.au / 0410569161 |
Any other details |
Council collecting from the end of Lattas Point Road. No oyster gear will be accepted. |
LAKe conjola (NSW)
Oyster farmers from Lake Conjola will be assisting with the clean-up in the Clyde River
jervis bay (NSW)
Date |
Friday 26th February 2021 |
Time |
11:00am, please check with coordinator |
Clean-up sites |
To be confirmed on the day of the clean-up |
Meeting location |
South Coast Mariculture |
Other groups involved |
To be confirmed |
Coordinator name |
Hika Rountree |
Contact coordinator |
hika@southcoastmariculture.com.au / 0419242604 |
Any other details |
WIll dispose of own rubbish |
SHOALHAVEN RIVER (NSW)
Date |
Wed. 24th February 2021 |
Time |
2pm |
Clean-up sites |
Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Rivers, Curleys Bay, Comerong Bay |
Meeting location |
Sally's Shed (Jim Wilds Oysters) |
Other groups involved |
To be confirmed |
Coordinator name |
Sally Maclean |
Contact coordinator |
jimwildsoysters@bigpond.com / 0410504702 |
Any other details |
Two skip bins requested |
george's river (NSW)
Date |
Tuesday 16th February 2021 |
Time |
10am |
Clean-up sites |
Woolooware Bay (Towra Point Foreshore) |
Meeting location |
Jetty at Sans Souci Park |
Other groups involved |
NPWS, Sydney Fish Market, International Convention Centre & OceanWatch Australia |
Coordinator name |
Bob Hill |
Contact coordinator |
0402442002 / roberthill@live.com.au |
Any other details |
rubbish to be left at Kogarth Bay Sailing Club |
hawkesbury river (NSW)
Date |
Fri. 12th February 2021 |
Time |
8:00 am |
Clean-up sites |
Hawkesbury River foreshore |
Meeting location |
Denis' Block |
Other groups involved |
Clean 4Shore, Hornsby Shire Council, Central Coast Council |
Coordinator name |
Bruce Alford & Ana Rubio |
Contact coordinator |
0414791468 / alford_bruce@yahoo.com.au |
Any other details |
Hornsby Shire Council (Ana Rubio) arranging waste collection. |
brisbane water (NSW)
Date |
Friday 26th February 2021 |
Time |
9am |
Clean-up sites |
To be confirmed - likely Pelican Island |
Meeting location |
Lions Park Boat Ramp, Woy Woy |
Other groups involved |
Clean4Shore, Central Coast Council, OceanWatch Australia |
Coordinator name |
Steve Williamson |
Contact coordinator |
steve_williamson74@hotmail.com / 0405390024 |
Any other details |
Council arranging for waste collection from Lions Park boat ramp at end of clean-up |
port stephens (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 17th February 2021 |
Time |
9:30am |
Clean-up sites |
North Arm Cove, Bundabah, Salamander Bay |
Meeting location |
Joe Redman Reserve |
Other groups involved |
DPI, Hunter LLS, OceanWatch |
Coordinator name |
Mark Salm |
Contact coordinator |
Mark 0418989300 / mark.salm@hotmail.com |
Any other details |
Council arranging skip bin to be located at Joe Redman Reserve for waste disposal |
wallis lake (NSW)
Date |
Friday 26th February 2021 |
Time |
11am |
Clean-up sites |
Wallis Lake Foreshore (TBC) |
Meeting location |
Point Road, Tuncurry - Loading wharf |
Other groups involved |
Hunter LLS |
Coordinator name |
Brad Verdich |
Contact coordinator |
Brad 0400194607 / bradverdich@gmail.com |
Any other details |
Details of waste disposal TBC |
manning river (NSW)
Date |
Saturday 27th February 2021 |
Time |
8am |
Clean-up sites |
To be confirmed on the day |
Meeting location |
Manning Point Boat Ramp |
Other groups involved |
OzFish Unlimited, Hunter Local Land Services |
Coordinator name |
Abbey Henry |
Contact coordinator |
abbeyhenry@icloud.com / 0458539467 |
Any other details |
Rubbish disposal to be confirmed |
camden haven (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 24th February 2021 |
Time |
9:00am |
Clean-up sites |
Gogley's Bay, Henley's Point |
Meeting location |
Marine Rescue |
Other groups involved |
None |
Coordinator name |
Brett Harper |
Contact coordinator |
brett_harper@outlook.com / 0417134591 |
Any other details |
Rubbish to be left at Sea Rescue for council collection |
hastings river (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 17th February 2021 |
Time |
12pm |
Clean-up sites |
To be confirmed on the day |
Meeting location |
Sandfly Alley oyster sheds |
Other groups involved |
None |
Coordinator name |
Paul Wilson |
Contact coordinator |
portoysters@bigpond.com / 0414243624 |
Any other details |
Waste to be left at bins at Westport boat ramp |
MACLEAY RIVER (NSW)
Date |
Monday 22nd February 2021 |
Time |
12:30pm |
Clean-up sites |
New Entrance Harvest Area |
Meeting location |
New Entrance boat ramp |
Other groups involved |
None |
Coordinator name |
Todd Graham |
Contact coordinator |
toddgraham1@bigpond.com / 0431353717 |
Any other details |
Waste collection TBC |
nambucca river (NSW)
Date |
Wednesday 24th February 2021 |
Time |
12pm |
Clean-up sites |
Foreshore, focusing on harvest areas |
Meeting location |
Gumma oyster sheds |
Other groups involved |
None |
Coordinator name |
James Ford |
Contact coordinator |
James_ford22@hotmail.com / 0423232627 |
Any other details |
Waste collection to be confirmed |
tweed river (NSW)
Date |
Monday 22nd February 2021 |
Time |
9am |
Clean-up sites |
Terranora |
Meeting location |
Birds Bay Oyster Shed |
Other groups involved |
Catch-a-crab |
Coordinator name |
Matt Eyre |
Contact coordinator |
0417708049 / matt@catchacrab.com.au |
Any other details |
Waste disposal to be confirmed |
moreton bay (QLD)
Date |
Thursday 18th February 2021 |
Time |
8:00am |
Clean-up sites |
Western shoreline of North Stradbroke Island, moving south from Amity Point |
Meeting location |
Amity Point boat ramp |
Other groups involved |
To be confirmed |
Coordinator name |
Tim Prowse |
Contact coordinator |
timprowse88@gmail.com / 0407634552 |
Any other details |
Skip bin provided by Redland City Council to be located at boat ramp, collection Friday 19th. |
Clean-ups in South Australia & Tasmania are coordinated through state industry associations. Please contact the South Australian Oyster Growers Association and Oysters Tasmania for details of clean-ups in these states.
A massive thank you to all participating farmers and community group volunteers. A big thank you also to all partners and funders of this initiative.
