By Jaidyn Kennedy
The Werribee River Association (WRA) is calling on the community to be mindful of their fishing habits and stick to state regulations following several instances of illegal netting in the Werribee River.
Nets that are not approved for inland waterway use by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), including mesh nets and opera house nets, can lead to the death of native wildlife and non-target species.
Among those most at risk of entanglement and death are mammals such as the platypus and rakali (Australian otter).
WRA education manager Charlotte Williamson said that it is not uncommon for multiple animals to be caught in a single net.
“These creatures are mammals and need to surface regularly between dives to breathe. Nets can continue to present a hazard for years if left in the river,” she said.
“Other river creatures such as turtles or diving birds like cormorants and grebes can also get entangled in nets and drown.”
In 2018, seven platypus drowned in a single net.
Ms Williamson explained the urgency of the matter for the species survival in the river.
“Platypus face an uncertain future due to loss of habitat, pollution, changes in water flow, litter and introduced predators,” she said.
“Illegal nets are yet another unnecessary threat to their survival.”
The VFA responded to a report of illegal netting in the Werribee River on Tuesday, November 19, in which a spokesperson said a late night patrol seized 22 bream, 22 mullet and an estuary perch.
The WRA and VFA have several initiatives underway to tackle the issue of illegal netting and they want locals to get involved.
The WRA works with community groups and schools throughout the catchment to share information and education about the impacts of litter, fishing equipment and pollution on rivers and native species, and has educational resources available in languages other than English.
Water and land managers, councils, scientists, fellow environmental organisations and volunteers from all ages and walks of life can get involved at www.werribeeriver.org.au
Locals are discouraged from attempting to remove illegal nets if it is unsafe to do so, and can instead make a report to the VFA on 13 34 74, www.vfa.vic.gov.au/13FISH or via their social media pages.
