Ghost Fishing
Last evening’s talk was both depressing and inspirational. Rob Wilson, president of Ghost Fishing NZ, (seen on the right next to Rob Wilson) described the activities of this entirely voluntary organisation, which tries to clean up the seabed.
Originally the focus was on lost or discarded fishing gear - nets, longlines, fish traps and the like. These things, now made mainly of synthetic and rot-proof materials, can continue to catch and kill fish and other marine life for years- hence the name ghost fishing.
Ghost Fishing is part of an international network which removes this harmful stuff and disposes of it. Volunteer scuba divers and free-divers do the work, usually on ‘clean-up days’ assisted by others onshore.
Wellington Harbour is also a dumping ground for other kinds of harmful rubbish, in incredible variety. Supermarket trolleys, scooters, traffic cones, bottles and so on litter the seabed. They affect the sediment and starve it of oxygen, harming fish stocks.
Sometimes, however, it is better to leave rubbish in place rather than disturb the habitat any further. The divers have developed criteria for making these decisions.
Ghost Fishing enjoys strong recognition and support from the community: it was judged ‘Wellingtonian of the Year’ in 2017. Sadly, despite their efforts to educate people out of using the sea as a rubbish dump, it seems their work will go on forever.
December Pottery Sale - Gear Homestead 2024
Put these dates in your diary - great place to buy xmas presents and support your local community.
Christmas Pottery Sale
Fabulous locally made work
Two weekends
~ Saturday & Sunday - 30th Nov & 1st Dec, 10am – 5pm
~ Saturday & Sunday - 7th & 8th Dec, 10am – 5pm
Gear Homestead
1 Okowai Road, Porirua
(Just off Whitford Brown Ave, opposite Aotea College,
some parking available or park on Okowai Road)
Cash or EFTPOS available
Sorry we do not accept credit cards or cheques
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% Other - I'll share below
Intensive Pottery Course - Harriet Bright
Intensive Throwing Pottery Workshop with Harriet Bright
Monday 27th January to Friday 31st January 9.30 am to 5pm
At Ōtaki Pottery Club
This one week workshop will focus on growing skills such as consistency, making larger pieces, throwing off the hump, making lids and spouts as well as finding your own style and aesthetic balance. As the week goes on students can work towards individual projects.
This is an intermediate course for students who are already able to confidently center and throw a cylinder.
Course outline
Monday - Setting up, wedging, weighing out etc then practice methods of throwing consistent cylinders.
Tuesday - Spiral wedging. Centering larger amounts of clay, working off the hump.
Wednesday - Throwing larger pieces ie jugs, bowls, shaping. Discussing aesthetics of forms, and looking at natural forms for inspiration.
Thursday - Cylinders, shaping, Lids and spouts. (Jars and teapots).
Friday - Practice work of student's choice. Review and questions. Clean up and sort pots to keep. Each day will include trimming of the previous day's work.
Participants provide their own clay and tools and make their own glazing and firing arrangements.
Cost $850, to be paid at the time of registration or at least one month prior to the workshop.
Please contact Harriet at justharriet@hotmail.com to register or with questions.
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