Beautiful Tallebudgera Creek captivates visitors with its pristine waters and sandy beaches, offering a haven for families to enjoy swimming, paddling, canoeing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, outrigging and so much more. Yet, beneath its serene surface lies a thriving but fragile marine ecosystem in need of protection.
In 2020, during a dive under the bridge, I discovered a shocking sight: pylons entangled with fishing lines and hooks – a deadly labyrinth of snags, posing significant dangers to marine life and swimmers.
Concerned that reporting the issue to council could result in the engagement of commercial divers to remove the lines and might inadvertently result in the stripping away of essential marine growth that provides shelter to small creatures, I decided to take action. My mission became clear: to cut the line away, one dive at a time to help preserve and restore the creek’s delicate habitat, ensuring a safer environment for both wildlife and people.
Armed with my scuba and cutting gear, I began meticulously removing fishing lines and hooks from the bridge pylons. To demonstrate the severity of the problem, I documented my findings with photos and detailed entries in a database. Over the course of 190 dives, my dedicated team and I have extracted over 49,000 metres of fishing line, 4,395 hooks, 4,980 sinkers, and 44 deadly nets left behind by irresponsible fishers and poachers.
The bridge, built in 1920 and supported by 116 pylons, shelters a surprising array of marine life and birds.
One of our most remarkable discoveries has been the presence of over 100 species of nudibranchs—vibrant sea slugs that flourish in the creek. Documented by citizen scientists, these colorful creatures have become symbols of the creek’s biodiversity and have helped educate the local community about the importance of maintaining clean and healthy waterways. Presentations to wildlife organizations and support from Gecko Environmental Council have further bolstered efforts to protect the creek, particularly the area around the bridge, which (according to our data) traps over 1,000 metres of fishing line each month.
Our efforts have transformed how people view the bridge, highlighting the need to shield it from further development, such as the proposed light rail stage four and the ongoing impacts of illegal fishing. Rescuing trapped animals and ensuring the safety of the creek for all users have been both challenging and rewarding. The heartbreaking sight of hooked fish, strangulated moray eels, butchered stingrays, and sad fish ensnared by fishing lines, has only strengthened my resolve to protect this precious ecosystem. We have also seen octopuses trying to shelter in holes covered with line, sharp hooks and deadly lures. Looking ahead, my goal is to amplify awareness within the community and local government about the dangers of illegal fishing from the bridge and the benefits of preserving the marine habitat below. This mission not only safeguards the creek’s biodiversity but also enhances its value as a tourist destination, driving economic progress.
I urge everyone to remember the incredible creatures that inhabit Tallebudgera Creek the next time they cross the bridge. Marine lovers can advocate for their protection by contacting the Gold Coast City Council to request improved signage featuring an after-hours reporting number, surveillance cameras to identify night-time netters, real-time monitoring to deter poachers and illegal fishing activities to protect this valuable marine asset. You can stay updated on our cleanup efforts by joining our Facebook group, “Hooked on Tallebudgera Creek Cleanup Crew.”
Together, we can ensure that Tallebudgera Creek remains a safe, thriving habitat for marine life and a beloved destination for generations to come.
Best fishes, Dr. Sally
Published in print January-March 2025
