MORE than 1000 pieces of plastic were picked up in the Stingray Bay area at Warrnambool on Saturday.
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Also in the haul were 605 food wrappers, 88 glass bottles, 50 plastic bottles plus several hundred other items.
The clean-up by Friends of the Merri was part of a joint effort with Fishcare South West to draw attention to the amount of rubbish makes its way into the sea.
The groups conducted beach walks at Levys Beach, Stingray Bay and the main beach.
“Our aim was to make people aware of just how much rubbish is in the marine environment, particularly plastic,” Fishcare South West president Justin Harzmeyer said.
“Plastic lasts a long time and it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. Fish eat it and it makes them think they are full and they can end up dying from malnutrition.”
Mr Harzmeyer said there was evidence of small pieces of plastic being eaten by krill.
“That’s the bottom of the food chain and it affects everything up to whales.”
He said plastic was the most common item found during Saturday’s walks, including many pieces small enough to be eaten by fish.
Rope was also in abundance, while in the Stingray Bay and breakwater area there were many fast-food containers and bottles.
Mr Harzmeyer encouraged the public to think about the effects that can result from discarding rubbish where it can find its way into the marine environment.
shynes@fairfaxmedia.com.au