Tackle bins collect 10km, local mother collects 20km of fishing line on Gold Coast

DESPITE a local family picking up more than 20km of fishing line the past 18 months, local birds and wildlife aren’t off the hook just yet.

A GOLD Coast woman has collected 20km of fishing line from Tallebudgera Creek in just 18 months, highlighting the extent of pollution in one of the city’s postcard attractions.

Every week Fiona Byres of Burleigh Waters combs creek banks and the water for anything left behind by fishermen including hooks, lures, swivels and sinkers.

Kali and Soma have been picking up bits of abandoned fishing line and equipment up and down Tallebudgera Creek. Picture: Jerad Williams

“If I didn’t pick it up, who would?” Mrs Byres said.

“I think people are a bit time poor and believe it is not their problem.

“But it can be as simple as picking up a discarded plastic bottle or lid and putting it in the bin.”

The family have picked up more than 20km of fishing line. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mrs Byres said she was inspired to take action after one of the ducks that regularly visited her family yard got a hook through its bill.

She contacted volunteer group Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast and met co-ordinator Rowley Goonan.

“It took a couple of days but Rowley caught the duck and took it to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary,” she said.

“He also came back with the duck and released it.”

Kellie Lindsay from Gold Coast Marine Debris Network with bins to stop littering with fishing line and hooks and help protect local birds. Photo: Steve Holland

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital senior veterinarian Dr Michael Pyne said he regularly received animals with fishing-related injuries.

“It’s a massive problem,” Dr Pyne said.

“What we see is just the tip of the iceberg.

“We see the lucky few animals ... it’s constant.”

Dr Pyne said birds often suffered a slow death after becoming wrapped in fishing line.

He said it cost around $1500 per animal to remove hooks or fishing line through surgery.

He encouraged local fisherman to bring injured animals to the hospital.

If an animal was inadvertently hooked, he said the rescuer should leave a long length of line for the vets to work with.

A turtle caught up in discarded fishing line, later rescued by Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Photo: Currumbin Wildlife Hospital