Volunteers needed for oyster shell clean-ups
18 February 2009

Pacific oyster shells will soon be less of a menace for beach-goers at three Auckland beaches.

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) is coordinating three oyster shell community clean-ups. The first two are at French Bay, Titirangi, on Sunday 1 March and Sergeants Beach, Awhitu Peninsula, on Saturday 7 March. A date for the third clean-up, at Clarks Beach in Franklin, is yet to be set.

ARC project leader Liz Ross says the three beaches were chosen because they are areas where dead oyster shells are a hazard for beach-goers.
Volunteers are needed to help at each of the clean-ups.

Ms Ross says volunteers should wear suitable footwear and if possible bring gardening gloves, a bucket, shovel or wheelbarrow. The ARC will supply some equipment.

The clean-ups run from 10-12pm and are followed by a free barbecue. Volunteers do not need to register they can just turn-up on the day.

The oyster shell clean-up days are funded by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) through the Coastal Enhancement Fund (CEF). The CEF is funded by seabed licence fees which are collected from Buckland’s Beach Yacht Club, Halfmoon Bay Marina and Westpark Marina.

If other communities were concerned about Pacific oysters at their local beaches they should contact the ARC as there was funding available for two more community beach clean-ups this year, says Ms Ross.

ARC Environmental Management Chair Dianne Glenn says clearing the dead oyster shells is vital for people’s enjoyment and safety.

“I’ve been involved in several clean-ups and the results are well-worth the few hours it takes to collect the shells. The shells can be very dangerous, especially for toddlers or young children.”
ENDS

Background information

Pacific oysters are thought to have been accidentally introduced to New Zealand in the 1950s.

In 2004, the ARC commissioned an independent report on the options for the management of naturalised Pacific oysters. The report recommended that the ARC identify areas where Pacific oysters were a community concern, and that it look at the best management options for those sites.

© Scoop Media