Tackle Bins, a massive hit across the Cassowary Coast region

Mission Beach Wildcare

ONSHORE fishing hotspots throughout the Cassowary Coast region have had the Tackle Bin treatment resulting in much tidier spaces.

The tackle bins at these hotspots were installed in response to fishing line and tackle related, which make the areas look untidy and pose a high risk to marine and bird life.

In partnership with Council, the Hinchinbrook Cassowary Coast Local Marine Advisory Committee cleaned up these areas and increased stewardship for the region’s jetties and marine park.

The first suite of tackle bins were installed in June 2021 and is maintained by community members up to three times per week at some sites.

These volunteers’ efforts in emptying and cleaning the bins assist our community in reducing the impact of recreational fishing tackle on the environment.

This project can only operate with the kind support of community volunteers maintaining tackle bins. It can only work with the support of the recreational fishing community doing the right thing and responsibly disposing of their unwanted line and tackle.

The best way to assist tackle bin volunteers is to only dispose of fishingrelated items in the bins.

Tackle bins have minimal capacity, so general waste must be removed to bins elsewhere.

Since the start of the project, Steve and Sharon McGuinness of Mission Beach Wildcare have maintained the Perry Harvey and Clump Point tackle bins.

“We see firsthand the effects fishing line and tackle have on marine life and birds when we attend entanglement rescues, and it disappoints us every time.

We volunteer for this project because it helps to reduce harm to wildlife and cleans up the marine environment”.

In late 2022, the second suite of tackle bins were installed, and volunteers have worked hard to keep these tip-top for our recreational anglers.

A special mention to funding from Mission Beach Lions Club, as new volunteers were kitted out with the tools and equipment needed to empty these bins safely.

The new tackle bin sites are located at Jackey-Jackey St and Maria Creek boat ramps, a secondary bin at Clump Point and a butt bin at the Kurrimine Beach boat ramp.

Tackle Bin Project coordinator Carmen Walker says, “our volunteers are true community champions, whose stewardship and on-ground actions are benefiting our environment and enabling recreational fishers to keep our region clean.”

Some tips to reduce fishing waste are to know-your-knots, keep lines tight to avoid snags, attend only one to two lines to reduce line entanglement, rethink balloons as floats, and use biodegradable soft baits.

Anyone who sees distressed, injured or entangled birds/marine life, please contact Mission Beach Wildcare on 0439 687 272.Tackle Bin Project coordinator

Carmen Walker says, “our volunteers are true community champions, whose stewardship and on-ground actions are benefiting our environment and enabling recreational fishers to keep our region clean.”

Some tips to reduce fishing waste are to know-your-knots, keep lines tight to avoid snags, attend only one to two lines to reduce line entanglement, rethink balloons as floats, and use biodegradable soft baits.

Anyone who sees distressed, injured or entangled birds/marine life, please contact Mission Beach Wildcare on 0439 687 272.

Careers in Sugar

In conjunction with CANEGROWERS Innisfail, South Johnstone Mill is holding our annual ‘Careers in Sugar’ job expo! Held at the Sugar Heritage Centre on the Bruce Highway,

For more information please contact our HR department via humanresources@msfsugar.com.au

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

COMMUNITY consultation is now open for residents to join in the conversation on the future of Tully’s Banyan and Lions Park.

The Banyan Beautification project is an exciting