News

Yabby Net Swap Over Scheme

VRFish, the peak body representing Victorian recreational fishers, welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of the exchange program for opera house nets.

Enclosed yabby nets are already banned in all public waterways across Victoria and from 1 July 2019 the ban will extend to include private waterways.

VRFish Chairman, Mr. Rob Loats, said “The swap over scheme to ‘wildlife safe nets’ is a terrific initiative by the Government to support all fishers making the change.”

Fishers are encouraged to swap over their old opera house nets in exchange for new open top yabby nets at 45 selected tackle stores across the state.

“It is great to see so many tackle stores jumping on board with the exchange program to provide Victorians with platypus-safe fishing gear.”

Enclosed yabby nets have a significant impact on our air-breathing wildlife, including platypus.  The ‘set and forget’ nets often trap and kill animals.

“This is a national problem so it would be great to see other Australian states follow Victoria’s lead and implement the ban to save our iconic wildlife.”

Many large retailers have already ceased selling enclosed yabby traps both instore and online completely or in Australian states where the gear is illegal in public waterways.

Research by the Victorian Government in 2012 found that pyramid nets caught more yabbies than opera house nets when left baited in the water for up to 1 hour.

To participate in the free exchange program, visit the Victorian Fisheries Authority website for a list of participating tackle stores.

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