A project to rid the Wallis Lake foreshore of unsightly rubbish has resulted in the collection of masses of tonnes of litter.
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Possibly the most unusual item collected amongst the obligatory drink bottles and cans, was a hot water system.
Nine care tyres, several mattresses and camping gear also was collected along with dozens of empty plastic frozen bait packets.
Brad Verdich, from MS Verdich and Sons who helped co-ordinate the project, was not surprised with the amount of debris collected from the foreshore.
On the water every day, oyster farmers regularly pick up rubbish they find floating in the estuary.
More than 20 oyster growers from Australia's Oyster Coast, East 33, Sciacca Oysters and Verdich Oysters participated in last Thursday's (February 20) clean-up Tide to Tip project.
"This clean-up is our response as an industry to make an impact and keep the waterways which we call home, alive and flourishing," Mr Verdich said.
Hunter Local Land Services, Taree estuary and marine officer, Brian Hughes said projects such as this help to keep waterways clean.
"Everyone needs to be more conscious of what they buy; to keep the rubbish out of the waterways," he said.
The Tide to Tip program was part of the OceanWatch Australia and supported by Clean Up Australia Day, Hunter Local Land Services, MidCoast Council, NSW Local Land Services and the NSW Landcare Program.
Tide to Tip was launched earlier in the week week with more than 250 farmers joining similar events across the country.
Not only did oyster farmers clean-up the area, participants also undertook an audit of rubbish collected.
A summary of the waste would be documented and analysed by the Australian Marine Debris Database, a program run by Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
Program organisers, OceanWatch Australia, hoped this was the first of many large-scale clean-ups led by the seafood industry that not only provide a way for fishers and farmers to give back to the estuaries on which their livelihoods depend, but helped to ensure Australian waterways remain pristine and healthy for generations to come.
Last year the oyster industry in Wallis Lake grew and sold over close to 19 million oysters to hungry shellfish lovers.
The industry supports hundreds of jobs and is an important part of the local economy.
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