This past Sunday, close to 250 volunteers joined Mandurah’s annual Luca’s Legacy community clean-up, removing a massive 400 kilograms of rubbish from local coastlines. The event also marked the launch of Tackle Back, a new tool for anglers that makes it easier to responsibly dispose of fishing waste, helping to keep our coastlines cleaner.
The Tackle Back personal disposal bin is the latest project from the Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s Rig Recycle program. The initial trial in Mandurah is proudly funded by the City of Mandurah, TackleWorld Miami, Coastal Waste Warriors and Estuary Guardians Mandurah and supported by WA Seabird Rescue and Recfishwest.
Mayor Rhys Williams said events such as Luca’s Legacy helped to instil change in future generations and create momentum in caring for Mandurah’s natural environment. “A huge part of the Mandurah lifestyle is enjoying our local waterways, our estuaries, beaches and amazing coastlines,” Mayor Williams said.
“A huge thanks and congratulations to our local groups, organisations and businesses who work so hard to make Mandurah beautiful and help to educate our community to do the same.“
Your Personal Rig Recycle Station
With Tackle Back, fishers can take proactive steps to keep waterways clean by carrying their own waste disposal and recycling station on every trip.
Tackle Back encourages fishers to keep waterways clean by providing a convenient way to dispose of and recycle waste. Fishing line, hooks, lures, sinkers, swivels, floats can all be recycled at local Rig Recycle stations.
Fishers can also contribute valuable data on the types of waste they collect to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database, supporting efforts to monitor and manage marine debris nationwide.
Tackle Back Ambassadors on Why It Matters
Tangaroa Blue’s Business Development Manager Brett Tait stressed the urgency of reducing fishing waste:
“With the AMDI Database showing that more than 125m of fishing line is collected on average at each beach clean-up around the country, we needed a better tool to help recreational fishers protect the environments they love”.
Ash Ramm of Tackle World Miami added:
“We want the Tackle Back to be the new best friend for all fishers. By carrying it with you on every trip, it will reduce the amount of fishing line, plastics, and rubbish that end up polluting our waterways“.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said he hoped to see the new device become a standard piece of fishing gear taken on all West Aussie fishing trips.
“A clean environment underpins great fishing experiences and that’s why Recfishwest strongly supports this simple, yet effective initiative of the Tackle Back to keep our fishing spots clean,“.
Get Your Tackle Back Today
If you’re in Mandurah, pick up a free Tackle Back at Tackle World Miami, Bluewater Mandurah, or the City of Mandurah’s Main Administration and Marina Administration buildings during the initial trial.
Tackle Back is also available for purchase through Tangaroa Blue’s Sea Store, with all proceeds going toward the protection of our oceans and waterways.
If you’re a fishing brand, club, community group or council, you can partner with us with co-branded Tackle Backs, just get in touch at rigrecycle@tangaroablue.org
