Tasman Bay beach clean this Saturday

Nelson MP and Environment Minister Nick Smith will be among around 1000 people collecting a huge haul of rubbish from Tasman Bay beaches this Saturday (20 November) as part of a Big Beach Clean-up.

Nick Smith, who with his family will be helping a BNZ team to clear litter from Nelson’s Boulder Bank, said he was pleased to be joining other Nelson-Tasman locals in removing litter from the region’s beaches.

“This is a great way for communities to really show they care about the environment and ensure our beaches are kept litter free and clean,” Dr Smith said. “It’s also about community awareness and better valuing our beautiful coast. People and particularly children only have to pick up others’ rubbish once to become a lot more vigilant about doing the right thing.

“We are a tourism region that sells itself as having beautiful beaches. We need to ensure at the beginning of summer that we match up to visitor expectations.”

Volunteers in 50 teams are to clear litter from 291 kilometres of coast between Abel Tasman National Park and Cable Bay . Another five groups will tackle rubbish on the banks of waterways in the clean-up organised by the Department of Conservation, Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council and NELMAC Ltd.

In the event of adverse weather conditions on Saturday, the beach clean-up will be postponed till the following day, Sunday 21 November. Organisers will contact beach cleaning team leaders directly if the day is to change.

DOC’s Motueka Community Relations Programme Manager Rudy Tetteroo said an important aim of the Big Beach Clean-up was to care for the wildlife we share the coasts with as litter can be life-threatening for many shore and sea-dwelling animals.

“Rope, packing strap, fishing line and netting can tangle seals, whales and seabirds, impeding their movements and feeding, sometimes drowning or strangling them. Plastic bags and wrapping can be ingested by birds and whales mistaking them for food and can cause them slow and painful deaths.”

Rudy said as this is the time of year when shorebirds are breeding the beach-cleaning teams and all beach-goers are asked to avoid disturbing nesting birds.

“Shorebirds breed in spring and summer everyone on beaches should watch out for and keep clear of nests. Disturbance may cause birds to desert their nests or if they are off the nests too long – even a short time - eggs and chicks may not survive.

“If a bird is showing signs of being disturbed, such as dive-bombing or loud calling, people should move away. Where dogs are allowed, they should be kept on a lead or at heel so they don’t scare away birds or destroy eggs and chicks.”

“We’re very grateful to all the beach clean-up participants and others supporting it for joining in to care for our coast. It is timely to remember as we do so that while we as people enjoy our beaches for play and relaxation, for our coastal wildlife they are even more essential being where they live, feed and breed.”

Groups taking part in the beach clean-up include social and sporting groups, businesses, council staff and government departments.

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