RECREATIONAL fishers from across the Rivoli Bay Area will have the chance to swap their old and unwanted opera house yabby traps for a pyramid trap.
The swap will be available at the upcoming Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior FIshing COmpetition.
The initiative is through OceanEarth Foundation through its Ghostnets Australia program and is in collaboration with both OzFish Unlimited and RecFish SA.
It aims to help the recreational fishing community participate in protecting the future of fishing and the health of the area’s local waterways.
OceanEarth managing director Anissa Lawrence said fishers were part of the fabric of the Rivoli Bay area and for many it was more than “just catching a feed”.
“This is why we’re encouraging fishers and their families to show up for the waterways they
Love,” Ms Lawrence said.
“This is a very exciting and innovative program, as the opera house traps collected at the Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition will be recycled into useful fishing products, with the proceeds being used to support habitat restoration.
“By bringing in your old traps you’re not just adopting more sustainable fishing practices, you’re investing in the future of fishing, and the ongoing health of our waterways. And as a thank you, we’ll swap it for a wildlife-friendly pyramid trap.”
The popularity of yabby fishing has put pressure on native wildlife which could get unwittingly
caught inside opera house traps which were declared illegal to use in South Australia.
Alternative devices, such as open-top pyramid nets and hoop nets, have been declared a more environmentally friendly design, allowing non-target species to escape if they swim in.
OzFish director of habitat programs Cassie Price said yabby fishing was winding down at this time of the year with it being the perfect opportunity for fishers to update their gear and rather than it going to landfill, give it another life.
“We know there are loads of rec fishers who have old opera house traps stored in their garage or shed,” Ms Price said.
“Rather than simply throw them out, we’re encouraging anyone with old traps to come and drop them in for recycling and get a free pyramid trap.
“The modern pyramid and hoop nets are fun to use, especially for the kids, as they encourage active yabby fishing rather than set and forget.”
She said fishers could further help by separating the nets from the frames before they arrive to help streamline the recycling process.
“Instructions on how to do this are on the OzFish website,” Ms Price said.
Those wishing to swap out their nets are able to do so at the Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition held at the Beachport Recreation Centre on Monday April 15 between 9am and 12pm.
