A mysterious, plastic material has been spotted on the region’s beaches, about five millimetres in length and similar to a plastic straw.
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It has triggered the community into action, with Take 3, South Coast Surfriders and Shoalhaven City Council working together to eliminate the plastic to protect sea creatures and shorebirds.
It is the perfect size to be ingested by our marine life.
- Shane Pickering
Shoalhaven City Council’s environmental health manager Shane Pickering said the work by pro-active community groups has been fantastic.
“They do so much all the time and have been magnificent cleaning up our beaches,” he said.
“It is the perfect size to be ingested by our marine life, so it is important to remove them as they can be quite nasty out in the ocean.”
Take 3 sea guardian Monica Mudge said she was devastated at learning of the plastic washing onto our shores.
“I felt like crying,” she said.
"I know how harmful that type of plastic can be for the environment.”
The plastic cut-offs have been sighted at Narrawallee Beach, Conjola and Cunjurong Point.
Mr Pickering said it appears to be a minor incident, but if any large quantities of the plastic cut-offs are detected to please contact the authorities.
He encourages residents to pick up smaller quantities for the bin, as they would with other rubbish.