The Swan River foreshore in Mosman Park downstream from Minim Cove has taken the title for the location with the most plastic accumulation in Perth’s main waterway.
An average of 151 pieces of plastic per square metre was present on the shore from the waterline to the vegetation at the site in the Swan-Canning Estuary, which was one of 38 foreshores surveyed by the state government.
Plastic taken out of the Swan River in Perth.Credit:Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Two of the four sites between the Stirling Bridge and Point Walter had high levels of plastic – which has negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and finds its way from rivers out into the ocean.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions environmental officer Peter Novak said upstream of the Narrows Bridge three of the 12 sites surveyed also had high amounts of plastic with one at Point Fraser and two on the Burswood Peninsula.
“The worst of which was on Point Fraser foreshore where average count of 80 pieces per square meter was observed on two sampling occasions,” he said.
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The survey, which also sampled 16 other estuary sites, is part of the West Australian government’s Plan for Plastics to get an idea of the level of waste in the estuary where the Swan and Canning Rivers meet.
Researchers are hoping to understand the key sources of plastic pollution in the river, which has seen a significant increase in single-use plastic litter over the past decade. It is assumed the waste makes its way in from stormwater drains, bins, riverfront businesses and elsewhere.
Plastics were found at all the sites sampled with cups, straws, bowls and takeaway containers picked up in most instances, especially north of the Narrows Bridge.
