Yagon Beach: EPA rules out toxic deaths, declaring sand loss to blame
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority has solved the mystery behind the unexpected deaths of marine life which where washed up on Yagoon Beach last month.
Mid-North Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mid-North Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sand erosion is being blamed for the death of hundreds of pipis, worms and a single seal which washed up along a stretch of coastline near Seal Rocks.
The NSW Environmental Protection Agency confirmed on Friday that toxins from a nearby aerial spray of Bitou Bush where not to blame, instead it was the loss of two metres in sand depth, and 20 metres of beach front that killed off the pipis and worms habitat.
EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Carmen Dwyer said the habitat was 'lowered' following large storms in the area.
Please use Kurator preview button to display the Kurator Lite crop in the story.
“Groundwater levels were closer to the beach after significant rain in March 2021 and then prior to the beach worm mortality event,” Ms Dwyer said.
“The EPA found evidence that low tides and calm seas at the time of the deaths did not allow the marine water to mix with the fresh groundwater egress on the beach face. Beach worms cannot handle these drastic changes in salinity and subsequently died.”
The NSW Food Authority has now lifted the precautionary closure of commercially harvested shellfish from Yagon Beach.
In June, fisherman shared footage to social media which purportedly showed hundreds of dead beach worms along Yagoon beach. Days a later a seal was also located washed up and lifeless.
It led to an inter-agency investigation into the deaths, headed by the EPA.
A spokeswoman had earlier told The Mid-North Coast News that while investigations remained ongoing, no detectable levels of pesticides, toxins or chemicals, had been found in the marine life.
Please use Kurator preview button to display the Kurator Lite crop in the story.
"Analysis results to date found no detectable levels of pesticides or harmful marine algal toxins or diseases in beach worms and pipis," she said.
"The EPA investigation is continuing."
A review of tidal conditions, groundwater and beach recession led the EPA to conclude that the beach worm moralities were caused by natural events.
The EPA’s Environment Line handles general inquiries about environmental issues and takes reports of pollution for which the EPA has regulatory responsibilities. The Environment Line is open 24/7 on 131 555.
Please use Kurator preview button to display the Kurator Lite crop in the story.
EARLIER
Shock as dying seal washes up on popular beach
Tuesday, June 8 2021
A Mid-North Coast fisherman was shocked to discover a dying seal laying on a beach — just days after an aerial chemical spray was conducted to control Bitou Bush.
Dean Elliott discovered the sick seal pup on Friday morning, after locals revealed thousands of dead sea worms had washed up on Yagon Beach, near Seal Rocks.
“The poor pup was very sick and sad, it had no energy at all and could barely move,” he said.
“I reported the seal to the Fisherman’s Co-Op who reported to the Department of Primary Industries, they said they were going to go investigate,” he said.
“There is a current closure on Yagon Beach due to the chemical spray, they are still testing for chemicals on the beach now.”
Mr Elliott said he was concerned that the seal, which are known to eat both sea worms and Bitou Bush, may have been poisoned as a result of the aerial spray.
Please use Kurator preview button to display the Kurator Lite crop in the story.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MLC, Mark Banasiak, raised questions over the “Metsulfuron-Methyl poisoning” in the Upper House on Tuesday afternoon in Question Time.
Mr Banasiak sought answers from Upper House MLC Bronnie Taylor representing Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall.
Ms Taylor placed the question on notice.
The discovery of the seal comes as the NSW Department of Primary Industries revealed it was investigating the cause of death to beach worms and pipis after video emerged of a swarm of the dead sea life surfacing on the Mid-North Coast beach.
The video, shared to Facebook by Lochlan Tisdell, shows footage of a man walking the shore line of Yagon Beach handling dead sea worms allegedly killed by run-off from a chemical spraying.
The post has captured the attention of NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party member Mark Banasiak, who issued a statement accusing the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services of killing the aquatic life by using a chemical spray to control Bitou Bush.
Both Mr Basniak and Mr Tisdell allege the NSW NPWS is responsible.
Mr Basniak said a large amount of beach worms had washed up the Manning Great Lakes area, with locals now concerned for the health of other species of aquatic life.
“This herbicide is hazardous to aquatic life according to the material safety data sheet,” Mr Basniak said.
Please use Kurator preview button to display the Kurator Lite crop in the story.
“The NPWS need to cease using this product on our coastlines.
“Why are they still using it?
“This Government department should be the pinnacle of environmental protection. What they have done to these beach worms is negligent in the extreme.
“DPI Fisheries and the EPA need to investigate this event thoroughly, and the Minister Fisheries needs to hold the NPWS accountable.
“Just because they are a government department should not mean they are above the law.
“Commercial fishermen are now having their quotas impacted because they cannot take these beach worms.
“Their fears are valid that this herbicide could impact other hand gathering species like pipis and ghost nippers, and who knows what else.
He labelled the deaths as a ‘negligent act by NPWS.’
Please use Kurator preview button to display the Kurator Lite crop in the story.
“If this were undertaken by anyone other than this department, the repercussions would be severe,” he said.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries spokeswoman said they were investigating the matter.
“NSW DPI Fisheries has received reports of beach worm and pipi deaths at Yagon Beach at the southern end of Treachery (Seal Rocks) and is currently investigating these reports,” the spokeswoman said
“DPI Fisheries staff are being assisted by commercial fishers and the Professional Fisherman’s Association (PFA) and will continue to monitor the situation with local stakeholders and other relevant government agencies.”
The NPWS said it was ‘supporting all investigations by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries.’
A spokeswoman from Mr Banasiak’s office said the party had been informed that NSW Food Authority closed off Yagon Beach, but did not advise commercial fishermen, so they continued their activity sending their catch to market with potential contamination issues.
Mr Basniak said community members are encouraged to report any fish deaths or observations through the Fishers Watch Phone line on 1800 043 536.
Johns/Daley Cup: Stunning play seals epic comeback
A stunning piece of individual brilliance worthy of winning any game has capped off a comeback for the ages during a thrilling round in the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup.
‘You look grown up’: Landscaper preyed on teen
A Mid-North Coast landscaper told a teen “you look grown up” before grabbing her on the breasts and on another occasion lay next to her and said “you smell good”.