MARINE DEBRIS
Top: Taking morphological measurements of a deceased Shear Water found on Main Beach. Middle: Marine debris collected by teachers from Main Beach. Right: Teacher Jo-Anne Britt collecting marine debris during a beach sweep on North Stradbroke Island.
Wild teachers spotted on Straddie Picking up rubbish is a detention method favoured by teachers and loathed by students – yet a group of school teachers recently volunteered to visit Straddie to mire themselves in the issue of marine rubbish. By Kate Johnston.
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he group were quickly set to work by Dr Kathy Townsend of the Moreton Bay Research Station, who is undertaking a major study into the impacts of marine debris, in particular its devastating and deadly impact on turtles. “Turtles are often more susceptible than other marine animals to marine rubbish, as they do not have the ability to regurgitate,” Dr Townsend said. “Once a turtle ingests this type of rubbish the gut becomes paralysed and gases build up in the turtle’s stomach, which cause it to float and make it unable to dive for food. It’s a slow, painful death.”
WINTER 2012
Marine debris consists mainly of plastic, glass and fishing nets and affects more than 270 species of animals worldwide. Two groups of teachers have so far taken part in seven-day field trips to Straddie as part of TeachWild, a three-year national marine debris research and education program, developed by Earthwatch Australia and the CSIRO. Teachers work alongside scientists to learn about the issue and take part in hands-on data collection and research. They then communicate what they’ve learnt to their students via an interactive website. Teachers take part in beach cleans, boat
trawl surveys, turtle necropsies (autopsies) and laboratory work. Another group of teachers will come in September. Matt Radburnd, a teacher from Western Australia, said: “I gained valuable knowledge and skills that I can now apply to my lessons and educate students in my school and the local community. “Students have already commenced gathering data at local beaches as part of our specialist marine studies programs. They are entering this data into the national database to assist scientists in their research.” To find out more visit teachwild.org.au
STRADDIE ISLAND NEWS 19