VRFish, the peak body representing Victorian recreational fishers, welcomes the Victorian Government\u2019s announcement of the exchange program for opera house nets.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
VRFish Chairman, Mr. Rob Loats, said \u201cThe swap over scheme to \u2018wildlife safe nets\u2019 is a terrific initiative by the Government to support all fishers making the change.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is great to see so many tackle stores jumping on board with the exchange program to provide Victorians with platypus-safe fishing gear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enclosed yabby nets have a significant impact on our air-breathing wildlife, including platypus.\u00a0\u00a0The \u2018set and forget\u2019 nets often trap and kill animals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a national problem so it would be great to see other Australian states follow Victoria\u2019s lead and implement the ban to save our iconic wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
To participate in the free exchange program, visit the Victorian Fisheries Authority website<\/a> for a list of participating tackle stores.<\/p>\n