The Tweed River is more than just a waterway—it’s the lifeblood of our community, a place where locals and visitors alike find beauty, adventure, and connection. But beneath its sparkling surface, a hidden problem lurks: rubbish, lost fishing gear, and discarded waste threaten the delicate ecosystem.
 
Here at Tweed Eco Cruises, we're always looking for ways to make a positive impact on the beautiful Tweed River, and this year's clean Up the Tweed River Day was one to remember! We want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on our amazing crew member, Craig. Not only is Craig a skilled skipper you’ll often see at the helm of our cruises, but he’s also a passionate advocate for keeping our river clean and healthy.

For the past 10 years, Craig has been organising the Clean Up the Tweed River Day, and for the last six years, we’ve been proud to support this initiative by donating our vessel VIP1 and skipper Eric to help with the cleanup efforts. This event is a huge labour of love for Craig and his team, and we couldn’t be more grateful to be part of it!

Craig summed up the impact of this year's efforts perfectly: "This year, we focused on cleaning up around the local bridges and jetties—areas that are popular with both fishermen and swimmers. By removing hazards like shopping trolleys and bikes, we’re making fishing a better experience with fewer snags and ensuring a much safer environment for people jumping off the jetty."

This year’s clean-up was a massive success! Volunteers worked to remove an estimated two tonnes of rubbish from the river and its banks. From the usual suspects like beer bottles, shopping trolleys, and car tyres to some very strange finds, it’s clear that our river has accumulated a lot of waste over the years. But the good news? We’re doing something about it!

The hard work of Craig and the Tweed Gold Coast Free Divers Club crew is making a real difference. While a large portion of the work happens underwater, there’s plenty for everyone to do. Whether you’re helping to load boats, walking the riverbanks, or even cooking the BBQ for the volunteers, there’s a role for you to play.

 

A big focus of this year’s clean-up was tackling the problem of old crab pots that pose a serious threat to local marine life. Captain Eric is calling on more people to get involved in protecting the river’s ecosystem. 

"When crab pots aren’t properly secured, or if a pot snaps, they can become a trap that keeps on giving,” he says. “The crabs eventually die, and the smell of the dead crabs attracts fish. The fish swim in but can’t escape, and they die too. This cycle continues, drawing even more crabs into the trap. Not only does this harm the marine life, but it also decreases the yield for crabbers and reduces the food supply for local wildlife."

Eric urges everyone to get involved by properly securing or recovering crab pots when they’re damaged, saying, “By taking action, we can break this cycle and help protect the marine life that depends on the river.”

 

A huge thank you to Far North Butchery for donating delicious sausages to keep the volunteers fueled, and to Adreno, Hard Fizz, Sea 90.9 Gold Coast, and Sporty's Warehouse for their ongoing support. The community backing behind this event makes it all possible, and Craig is so grateful for all the help!

We're already planning for next year's clean-up and aiming for an even bigger turnout! Whether you're an experienced diver, a strong swimmer, or prefer to help on land or a vessel, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

This year, we focused on key areas like the Tweed Marina, Ivory Tavern, Jetty’s, and under the bridges—spots where debris tends to collect. While the work can be tough, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact we’re making, and we look forward to even more hands on deck next time. 

We’re thrilled to have been a part of Clean Up the Tweed River Day and can’t wait to do it again next year! Together, we can keep making a difference and ensure our stunning river stays clean and vibrant. Stay tuned for more updates, and we hope to see you there next year!