9 August 2013

Don't kill platypuses, you jerks

9 August 2013 | Barcham

After finding an illegal yabby trap containing three threatened and protected crayfish and one dead platypus near Kambah Pool, ACT Parks and Conservation today called for Canberran’s to keep an eye out for these illegal fishing practices.

If you see any illegal traps or anyone engaged in illegal fishing, Brett McNamara would like you to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you personally use platypus killing traps, RIotACT would like you to stop being a jerk.

“This sort of incident is incredibly disappointing given the platypus is such an iconic species and the Murray River Crayfish is threatened. While the conservation status of platypus is stable, this month the Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch is running a platypus count to ascertain a clearer picture of overall numbers in our local waterways.

“All enclosed nets and traps have been illegal in public waters in the ACT for over 10 years under theACT Fisheries Management Act 2000 and are also illegal in surrounding NSW. They can kill platypus, turtles and water rats by preventing them from escaping meaning they drown.

“Rangers will be stepping up patrols along the Murrumbidgee River Corridor looking for illegal fishing, which can also include the use of set lines, unattended rods, not keeping to size and bag limits and unauthorised vehicle access to areas. Last year we issued $1150 worth of on the spot fines to an illegal fisher who had 10 set lines at Kambah Pool reserve.”

Mr McNamara said that the Murrumbidgee River Corridor has many great fishing spots so it is very unfortunate when people choose to not obey the rules and harm our local wildlife.

“There are no excuses for poor fishing behaviour. A number of signs are in good view of the public at popular fishing spots along the Murrumbidgee. These signs display pictures and descriptions of the protected endangered fish so that anglers can readily identify their catch. They also provide information on regulations and restrictions.

Join the conversation

All Comments

All Comments
Website Comments
Facebook Comments

LatestOldest

Affirmative Action Man4:24 pm 19 Aug 13

I’m in favour of banning the traps totally but damn that crayfish on the right looks delicious particularly with some whole egg mayo yum.

markjek3:46 pm 19 Aug 13

It is currently illegal to use any sort of enclosed trap within ACT public waters ie. you may use them in private farm dams. Riversmart are running an online petition to totally ban the use and sale of these enclosed traps, like opera house traps If you are concerned about the dangers to wildlife that these traps pose go to http://www.riversmart.org.au

Delish4:18 pm 12 Aug 13

Wow you are really getting me huh… In the ACT region, the Ngunnawal People, eating of platypus and wombats is considered a culture taboo.

Blen_Carmichael3:05 pm 12 Aug 13

Delish said :

dungfungus said :

Blen_Carmichael said :

Delish said :

In Aboriginal Culture two things that you don’t kill – Platypus and Wombats.

I doubt that. There are many credible references to platypuses featuring in the diet of at least some indigenous peoples.

As for the wombat:

“Wanda Miller talks about working with Gladys Miller to design language programs that will allow Wirangu to be taught in schools. Wanda’s grandchildren are Wirrangul through her husband. Wombat is the traditional food of the Wirangu people, and the children’s stories are all about hunting wombat. We see the Miller family out bush, digging a wombat out of its burrow and then being prepared for cooking upon the open fire.”

She is a Central Australian Woman. I am talking local Ngunnawal, ACT, this is ignorant and totally different people. Yes different tribes eat different foods as it might be more plentiful / not a totem to the people. Same as Turtle however Turtle is more fso food of the Islands such as Torres Strait/ Thursday & Bathurst.

Ignorant? It was you who claimed that it was impermissible in “Aboriginal Culture” to kill platypuses or wombats.

Delish2:54 pm 12 Aug 13

dungfungus said :

Blen_Carmichael said :

Delish said :

In Aboriginal Culture two things that you don’t kill – Platypus and Wombats.

I doubt that. There are many credible references to platypuses featuring in the diet of at least some indigenous peoples.

As for the wombat:

“Wanda Miller talks about working with Gladys Miller to design language programs that will allow Wirangu to be taught in schools. Wanda’s grandchildren are Wirrangul through her husband. Wombat is the traditional food of the Wirangu people, and the children’s stories are all about hunting wombat. We see the Miller family out bush, digging a wombat out of its burrow and then being prepared for cooking upon the open fire.”

She is a Central Australian Woman. I am talking local Ngunnawal, ACT, this is ignorant and totally different people. Yes different tribes eat different foods as it might be more plentiful / not a totem to the people. Same as Turtle however Turtle is more fso food of the Islands such as Torres Strait/ Thursday & Bathurst.

markjek12:28 pm 12 Aug 13

kumadude said :

I use a tiny yabby trap to catch mosquito fish to feed my murray cod, rarely I may even catch a yabby..

Any enclosed trap is illegal in ACT public waters (ie. anywhere apart from a farm dam)

dungfungus12:26 pm 11 Aug 13

Blen_Carmichael said :

Delish said :

In Aboriginal Culture two things that you don’t kill – Platypus and Wombats.

I doubt that. There are many credible references to platypuses featuring in the diet of at least some indigenous peoples.

As for the wombat:

“Wanda Miller talks about working with Gladys Miller to design language programs that will allow Wirangu to be taught in schools. Wanda’s grandchildren are Wirrangul through her husband. Wombat is the traditional food of the Wirangu people, and the children’s stories are all about hunting wombat. We see the Miller family out bush, digging a wombat out of its burrow and then being prepared for cooking upon the open fire.”

http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/wirrangul-women/clip3/

Wombat was the first choice of “the slow food movement” long before the Italians discovered it.

Blen_Carmichael11:21 am 11 Aug 13

Delish said :

In Aboriginal Culture two things that you don’t kill – Platypus and Wombats.

I doubt that. There are many credible references to platypuses featuring in the diet of at least some indigenous peoples.

As for the wombat:

“Wanda Miller talks about working with Gladys Miller to design language programs that will allow Wirangu to be taught in schools. Wanda’s grandchildren are Wirrangul through her husband. Wombat is the traditional food of the Wirangu people, and the children’s stories are all about hunting wombat. We see the Miller family out bush, digging a wombat out of its burrow and then being prepared for cooking upon the open fire.”

http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/wirrangul-women/clip3/

Deref8:18 am 11 Aug 13

Yet another argument for the Garema Place stocks.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd8:02 am 11 Aug 13

Mr Evil said :

I’m not racist, but……..

Just wondering if it might be a good idea for the authorities to issue these notifications in several other languages as well as English, as there’s probably a 50/50 chance that someone from an NESB could be behind this….

Just sayin’…..

Source?

Guarantee that its white bogan trash.

View more conversations

Featured Businesses

Commercial Real Estate Agents

Raine & Horne Commercial

Your business and property is important to us.

Find out more

Mortgage Brokers

Clarity Home Loans

A passionate team of Canberrans helping other Canberrans secure their home loans. No frills, no commissions, no brainer.

Find out more

Lawyers

BDN Lawyers

BDN has provided legal services to to Canberra, Queanbeyan and the region for over 160 years.

Find out more

Electricians

True Connection Electrical

Since 2014, True Connection Electrical have been servicing residential and small commercial clients with reliable, trustworthy and top-quality electrical work.

Find out more