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■ Huge fines warning after nets threaten survival of species...
Platypus killed By Bonny Burrows ILLEGALLY placed opera house nets have claimed the lives of half the Labertouche Creek’s platypus population, prompting calls for a widespread ban on such nets. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) responded strongly to the finding of dead platypuses and the nets in part of the dam, just west of Jindivick.
It is believed the nets were in the water for a while, during which time platypuses entered and became trapped, suffocating to death. CESAR Australia’s Senior Wildlife ecologist Josh Griffins estimated the “senseless casualties” have slashed the creek’s platypus population from 10 to five. “In such situations, the unnecessary death of even a single platypus could make a significant difference to the population’s long-term survival,” Mr Griffins said.
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In such situations, the unnecessary death of even a single platypus could make a significant difference to the population’s long-term survival… Josh Griffins
Opera house nets in, on or next to Victorian public waterways are banned, but are legal for use in private dams. The nets are used for catching freshwater crustaceans such as yabbies, and can be bought in hardware stores for less than $10. DELWP regional manager of environment and natural resources Ryan Incoll said that under the Fisheries Act 1995 it was an offence to use or be in possession of an opera house net in, on, or next to Victorian public waters, and for good reason. “This type of net is a death trap for platypuses, water rats, turtles and some diving water birds. “The nets are often left overnight when some of these animals are most active,” he said. The findings have “disturbed” Cardinia wildlife and landcare groups which thought opera house net deaths were a thing of the past.
Toomuc Creek Landcare Group (TCLP), Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) and Cardinia Catchment Landcare (CCL) spokespeople told the Gazette that there had been incidents “some time ago” but not for many years. “We’ve gone from one or two opera house net sightings a year to really struggling to find one,” CCL President Glenn Brooks-MacMillan said. One of the last incidents was in 2011 when five opera nets were located in Cardinia Creek, near Berwick. Fortunately, no platypus were injured or killed. Mr Brooks-MacMillan said the latest deaths were “a real shame” which highlighted the need for education of the net’s dangers. He said people didn’t grasp the laws surrounding the nets, and their wide-spread availability further increased incorrect use. “People don’t know this, but you’ve got to have a fisheries licence to have a net. And then, it’s got to have
a number and contact number on it, otherwise it can be removed from the water,” Mr Brooks-MacMillan said. “If people see unmarked nets in public waterways, I encourage them to remove them and, really, there are so much better nets one could use to yabby; much better alternatives.” Under the Fisheries Act 1995, offenders detected possessing or using an opera house net in or close to inland waters face a maximum fine of $11,300. Vessels and vehicles may also be seized. Under the Wildlife Act 1975 the maximum penalty for killing a platypus is $5500 and/or six months’ imprisonment. Members of the public are encouraged to report the illegal use of opera house nets by calling DELWP on 136 186. For more information on the dangers of opera house nets, email info@ cclg.net.au.
A deceased platypus is caught in this net. The nets have claimed the lives of half of Labertouche Creek’s platypuses.
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