Feed the fish! Eye-catching receptacle collects hundreds of cans & bottles at Riverhead beach

A wire mesh receptacle crafted in the form of a giant fish has been gobbling up recyclable cans and bottles at Riverhead Town’s Iron Pier Beach in Northville, helping to keep the beach — and the Long Island Sound — clean.

Inspired by Yoshi and Goby, fish-shaped wire receptacles that have been helping keep beaches clean in India and Bali for several years, Riverhead Town’s new receptacle was created by local sculptor Clayton Orehek, sponsored by the town’s litter committee with support from National Grid.

The creative 4-foot by 6-foot receptacle was installed last fall and emptied for the first time Wednesday morning. The Riverhead Town Buildings and Grounds Division did the honors, with local officials gathered around for the event. The fish held some 300 recyclable containers that might have otherwise littered the beach and wound up in the waters of the Sound, a designated estuary of national significance, where they would pose a threat to marine life. 

The containers will be processed for recycling by Riverhead’s solid waste contractor Waste Management, town officials said. 

“Kids love the fish,” Riverhead Town Council Member Joann Waski, liaison to the litter committee, said.  The eye-catching addition to the popular town beach is popular with children, she said. “Several teachers have called me about it and we know it’s making a difference in our community,” Waski said.

Wendy Frigeria of National Grid was on hand for the fish’s inaugural emptying, and called the project “a big success.”

Riverhead Town Litter Committee Chairperson Deborah Wetzel said the fish receptacle draws attention to the need to properly dispose of wastes, especially on the shorelines, to keep the water clean and protect fish and other marine life who live in the waters and along the shore. 

“It’s awesome,” Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard said.