ALBAA Jervis Bay Environmental Action Beecroft Peninsula

14 June 2008

On the 14th of June 2008 the Australian Land Based Anglers Association (ALBAA) held a ‘Ledge Care’ event at Jervis Bay. This Clean up event was staged with the support of Shoalhaven City Council City Council and Clean Up Australia.

The focus of this action was the iconic rock ledge ‘Big Beecroft’ all access trails and ‘Lobster Bay’.

After a tenuous week checking weather forecasts daily the seas conspired, once again, to make it tough work for the ALBAA crew. The initial plan was to split up and cover the ‘Outer Tubes’ as well as the accessible area on the northern side of the peninsula. Unfortunately any ledge facing south or east for that matter would have been a complete wash out. Early Friday morning the decision was made to have a Friday night briefing at the Currarong Bowling Club. The ALBAA crew made it in at various times through the evening, largely on account of the distances traveled by some members to attend this event and give the ‘Heart of LBG’ some TLC. A great time was held by all but when the lights went out on an enthusiastic crowd the decision was made to relocate to the caravan park.

Sunrise saw many that had pledged to fish that morning rise wearily from their slumbers and after a hearty camp breakfast a rejuvenated team assembled at Abrahams Bosom beach car park ready for business. Local Environmental Ranger, Rob Oake made a timely appearance to unlock the headland trail gates just before the motorcade assembled. Heading out to the Mermaids Inlet ‘track head’ a courteous group of anglers (notably missing fishing gear) even picked up a couple of hitchhikers. A novel ride in the 60 series Land Cruiser saw the pair delivered safely to Lobster Bay to check out the quality of break the big southerly swell would produce of the island.

After parking the vehicles the team descended upon Big Beecroft. The Ledge was found in reasonable condition but with the shear number of willing bodies not an unnatural scrap was left on the ledge, cliff face, or surrounding bush land. Once again several ancient gathering sites were located resulting in a sweepstake being run on the vintage of brew consumed. Although a great outcome was achieved for this area it was taken fairly hard by certain members who couldn’t get past the water colour, active bird life, big sea running past the ledge and their distinct lack of fishing gear!

With some members dragging their feet the crew made its way back up to the track head and the waiting motorcade before proceeding to stop number two Lobster Bay. While Lobster bay is not renowned for the sort of topography that suits Land Based Game fishing ALBAA members recognise these areas as playing an integral part in the eco system and biodiversity along the peninsula. On arrival the team ran into an old ‘Roo’ shin deep in the surf that seemed to be mesmerized by the Gortex wearing crew sporting white rubbish sacks. The old fella was sufficiently chuffed to pose for, more than a couple, amateur photographers. The refuse collected in this area had very little to do with fishing and more pointedly indicated old campsites, some recent and some of considerable vintage. On returning to the vehicles, the old Crusier once again found a couple of grateful surfers willing to share digs with a stack of rubbish bags. A quick trip back down the trail saw the three vehicles across the ford without incident and the gates promptly re-locked.

The refuse collected during this event was deposited in the council bins at the Currarong Beachside Caravan Park for proper disposal and the team regrouped for light refreshments and a debriefing.

ALBAA would like to extend its gratitude to Avalynne Wilby, Grant Astill, including their respective teams from Shoalhaven City Council and Clean up Australia for their assistance and continued support.