A ban on Opera House-style nets?

Fisheries Queensland is inviting feedback from fishers and the wider community on recreational fishing reform options, including the proposed ban on Opera House-style nets (enclosed yabby traps).

These reform options are outlined in a discussion paper, accessible for download from the Fisheries Queensland website. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping future management strategies, ensuring the protection of our native wildlife and sustainable management of Queensland’s fisheries.

Opera House-style nets present risks to air-breathing native animals, including platypus, Rakali and turtles. As a result, most Australian states and territories have already either banned or further restricted the use of this trap. In fact, Queensland is the only state left that has not banned these traps in platypus waters so hopefully this might be the time that action is delivered.

Even at 5cm openings, there is a chance of drowning platypus (baby platypus can be as small as 300-400g when they emerge from the nest), and that can have detrimental impacts on populations. These nets also harm other air-breathing animals like this Rakali in a 5cm funnel (photo 2023).

Additionally, you can’t buy a 5cm opening net at retailers, and there is very limited information regarding the modification needed for freshwater waterways where platypus live.

“We are keen to find out from Queensland’s fishing community if they would consider supporting this ban if a good alternative net was available and they were compensated for swapping to a wildlife-friendly net that is both conservation and fishing people approved,” said Ecologist and Wildlife Queensland PlatypusWatch Project Officer, Dr Tamielle Brunt.

“By supporting a ban on opera house-style traps, we can take a proactive step towards protecting our precious wildlife and ensuring their continued survival. This ban would align Queensland’s regulations with those of other states and territories, fostering consistency and greater effectiveness in wildlife conservation efforts across Australia.”

Take action - have your say

To read the reforms, complete the online survey and have your say, visit: daf.engagementhub.com.au/recreational-fishing

Submissions close at 5pm on May 9, 2024.