Sisters film the moment they free a shark from the plastic stuck in its gills

A PAIR of sisters snorkelling off Beaumaris have recorded the heartwarming moment they relieved a small shark from the chunk of plastic stuck in its gills. SEE THE VIDEO

A PAIR of sister snorkellers have recorded the moments they freed a small shark from the plastic stuck in its gills off Ricketts Point Beaumaris.

Madeleine, 29 and Clementine Heath, 24 likely saved the Port Jackson shark from a slow death, with the chunk of plastic slowly suffocating it.

The girls were diving in Port Phillip Bay, at the Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary, last Sunday when they spotted the little Port Jackson shark lurking in a small underwater cave.

“He had visible plastic in his gills,” Clementine told Mordialloc Chelsea Leader.

“Madeleine managed to safely remove him from the cave, handling him carefully. The plastic was removed and the shark was unharmed.”

Madeleine Heath after removing the chunk of plastic from the small shark.

The Mordialloc woman said the fish seemed thankful to be free of the rubbish clogging his gills.

“He swam with us for the remainder of our dive and was friendly. It’s unusual behaviour to be wanting to swim around us.”

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She said the small sharks have come into the sanctuary to lay their eggs, and were frequently spotted swimming and in the caves.

The sisters also removed other plastic rubbish from the water, and urged people to be mindful of pollution in the bay.

“We just thought this was a wake-up call for the community to be aware of the continuing problem of pollution in our bays,” Clementine said.

Clementine and Madeleine Heath at Rickett's Point.

“We urge people not to drop rubbish and also to really consider single-use plastics.”

“Do you really need that straw or coffee cup? Use a keep cup. Make sure you put the rubbish in the correct bin and if you see rubbish along the streets, please pick it up.”

The women, who are keen free divers — a form of underwater diving that relies on breath-holding — spend a lot of time diving in the sanctuary.

“We are both heavily involved in Marine Care Ricketts Point which is a community group of volunteers who are concerned about the wellbeing of the sanctuary,” Clementine said.

“We are always looking for people to help us clean up the beach at Rickett’s Point. If anyone wants to get involved, please do. The dates are on Facebook.”

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