They may look like pirates, but this group of ex-fishermen in central Queensland are only plundering the rivers for one thing — rubbish.

The Jolly Rogers Fishing Club started in 2004 when the group came together to just hang out and fish along the reef and the Fitzroy River.

But club president Neill Xxavier had his own reasons for getting involved.

“I suffered a brain injury and the doctors told me to just sit on the couch and watch movies,” Mr Xxavier said.

“But I decided to do this instead — clean the river and the reef.”

As more people became involved with the club, the fishing excursions started to resemble scavenger hunts, with members picking up plastic rubbish out of the water.

Key points

• So far this year the club has hauled in more than four tonnes of plastic from riverways around Rockhampton
• The club can have up to five vessels out on the water each week picking up rubbish.
• With the money they collect from plastic bottles, members feed the homeless along the Fitzroy Rive

Source
Karyn J Wilson and Jacquie Mackay
ABC News