THUNDER BAY — Planks, pipes, electronic gear, and assorted fishing equipment were among the debris hauled up from the bottom of the harbour at the mouth of the Current River on the weekend.
Local scuba divers and other volunteers took part in the Coastal Cleanup and World Cleanup Day initiatives, both of which were conducted Saturday around the globe.
Eco Divers Thunder Bay, Eco Superior and members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union were among the participants at Fisherman's Park, where the Current River enters Lake Superior.
As trained divers discovered debris underwater, it would be hauled to shore by land crews that stacked and organized the items for removal by the city.
About 25 people were involved in the cleanup on the two sides of the river mouth.
Three divers were assigned to each side, with rope-pullers and a bush crew working on land.
Eco Divers spokesperson Len Mason said it was a productive cleanup.
The haul included tires, fishing rods and tackle, numerous metal pipes, a large quantity of cans and bottles, and plastic bags, plastic tags and coffee cup lids.
Mason said divers also discovered one of the commercial fishing vessels tied up at the wharf had a fishing net wrapped around its propeller and drive shaft.
He said it took about 15 minutes to cut the net from the propeller.
