Dear Editor,

I was recently concerned over a local issue and wonder if would you be interested in publishing in our local paper. I have contacted Kiama Council but have yet to receive a response. 

I visit both north and southeast beach rocks on a regular basis.  

Over the past years, I often come across very distressing scenes where a rock platform is covered in litter, I assume primarily from rock fishing.

This mainly seems to occur after weekends or school holidays. I often find scenes of multiple cigarette butts, plastic containers and bags with discarded bait, fishing wire/hooks, plastic bottles, night fishing equipment with toxic glow sticks etc.  

Yesterday I was devastated to not only find another litter scene but also multiple under sized species left to die on the rocks for no apparent reason. 

This included a port Jackson shark, banjo shark and multiple sting rays which where all babies/small or undersized. 

I have emailed the council and fisheries for whatever it is worth. I personally find it incredibly distressing to find such a precious ecosystem so regularly violated.  

I hate to use this site for negativity however I would like to raise local awareness and seek practical suggestions regarding local environment/marine protection.  

Kind Regards 

Tess Donovan