Beach worms dying - are we being responsible when it comes to coastal waters and beaches?

Beach worms dying © RFA of NSW

Sick and dying beach worms on several beaches in the Forster/Tuncurry area have been bought to the RFA's attention.

NSW Fisheries Officers have had numerous calls and reports in a very short period of time. They have advised NSW EPA and are currently investigating and assessing the significant number of dead and dying beach worms and any other marine animals in distress. Samples have been taken for further testing to resolve what is/was the possible cause, and if it is linked to recent the aerial spraying by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of bitou bush in the nearby coastal sand dunes.

Spraying bitou bush has continually been questioned by recreational and commercial fishers over recent decades with minimal research to date. There is no information on what impacts such spraying has on sand dune creatures like ghost crabs, the overall beach ecology and the wash zone that is tidal. The beach zone is home to many other marine animals and shellfish, big, small and microscopic.

National Parks have some serious explaining to do if they are to blame.