Auckland’s boaties and leisure craft users are being urged to be waste-wise on the water over summer to conserve the oceans and coastlines for their own enjoyment and for future generations.
Auckland Council says local residents are fortunate to have New Zealand’s first marine park on their doorstep, as it’s the “seabird capital of the world” and a “whale superhighway”.
“At the same time, the Hauraki Gulf is hurting from the amount of plastic and other pollutants that finds its way into the water,” the council says.
“Please help us protect this taonga by following these waste-wise tips.”
Top tips for being waste-wise in the Gulf this summer:
- Remove any unnecessary packaging before you head to sea; re-pack snacks into reusable containers and leave the soft plastic packaging behind; avoid plastic wrap by wrapping your sandwiches in reusable beeswax wraps or storing them in reusable containers
- Keep covered rubbish and recycling bins on board; make sure all litter makes it into a bin, this includes cigarette butts and fishing line; dispose of your waste responsibly once you are back on land
- Avoid single-use bottled water – fill up and bring reusable water bottles on your trip
- If you see rubbish floating by, scoop it out of the sea, even if it’s not yours; it’s just one thing you can do to Be A Tidy Kiwi
- Fish heads and frames have a lot of food on them; if you don’t want them, give them to someone who does. Head to Free Fish heads NZ to find your nearest drop-off point
- Fish with reusable lures and hooks; try to avoid using homemade, single-use lures made with soft plastics
- Save your shellfish or fish scraps to make your own berley, rather than buying berley in a plastic bag.
Each individual bottle cap or straw adds up to devastating consequences if they end up in our waterways.
The organisation Sea Cleaners has removed an estimated 127 million pieces of litter from New Zealand coastlines since 2002.
That’s 12.7 million litres of rubbish, or 425 shipping containers filled with loose litter.
The council is offering a summer waste barge service until February 10 at Man o’ War Bay, Waiheke Island.
The service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week during this period.
It supports leisure boat users to effectively manage their waste, both recycling and refuse, while out on the water for longer periods.
The council is also encouraging boaties to ensure their boats have clean hulls before heading out to the Hauraki Gulf Islands.
If boat owners clean their hulls while moored around the islands, it may dislodge and spread heavy metals and marine pests, which pose major risks to the gulf’s marine environment.
This summer help prevent the spread of exotic Caulerpa, a highly invasive marine pest that threatens to wreak havoc on our marine ecosystems and recreational waters.
