ABOUT 30 kilograms of rubbish was removed from the shoreline and underwater at Amity Point during a major clean-up effort on Saturday.
Twenty-six volunteers, from groups as varied as Reef Check Australia, The University of Queensland's UniDive, Wild Mob, Clean Oceans Australia, North Stradbroke Volunteer Marine Rescue, Sibelco and Wildcare Straddie, collected hundreds of pieces of rubbish, some seven kilometres of fishing line and more than 1000 cigarette butts.
The clean-up took place both on land and in the water, with divers picking up underwater debris to keep the bay clean.
Wild Mob project leader Phil Hrstich said the clean-up would help preserve the area's marine life.
"We know that marine debris is a major hazard for Moreton Bay's marine life," he said.
"Turtles and other wildlife get tangled in fishing line or choke on plastic, which they mistake for food, and so we hope this week's effort will go some way to preventing these unwanted deaths."
Long-term data gathered through examination of the rubbish collected will help the newly formed Clean Straddie Working Group to reduce litter and pollution issues on North Stradbroke Island.
Clean Straddie Working Group coordinator Jennifer Loder said the clean-up findings were documented through the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database.
"All of the groups involved in this initiative have a common goal to actively reduce litter on North Stradbroke Island and create a healthy environment for everyone to enjoy," she said.
"The invitation is open to other individuals and groups who want to get involved."
